From starting off in Hollywood doing minor roles, to reaching the pinnacle with her Oscar win, Renée Zellweger’s journey as an actor has been inspirational. Her big breakthrough performance and recognition came with Jerry Maguire, in which she starred opposite Tom Cruise. The film was a huge stepping stone for Zellweger to become an actor of repute in Hollywood.
Landing her first major part alongside a superstar was pretty intimidating for the Chicago actor, who recalled the nerve-racking moments before being first introduced to Tom Cruise. Zellweger, who was completely starstruck, had to save herself from having an embarrassing breakdown in front of the Mission Impossible star during auditions.
Renée Zellweger On Her Unforgettable Experience Auditioning With Tom Cruise
Apart from giving Tom Cruise his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor, Jerry Maguire was instrumental in making Renée Zellweger a bonafide star in Hollywood. The Cold Mountain actor whose role in the film catapulted her to fame, recalled the butterflies in her stomach while meeting and interacting with Tom Cruise for the first time during auditions for the film. In a quote that appeared in IMDb, Zellweger spoke of almost having a nervous breakdown in her starstruck mode.
“I went inside and managed not to throw up.”
Despite the initial nerves, Zellweger was happy and heartened to note that Tom Cruise was nothing like his superstar persona. The Cocktail actor’s effort to make the Miss Potter star comfortable, allowed her to ease into her role perfectly.
Renée Zellweger’s Warm Equation With Director Cameron Crowe
While Renée Zellweger wasn’t the first choice for director Cameron Crowe in his blockbuster film Jerry Maguire, the wonderful bond that she shared with the filmmaker is still something she cherishes today. The Bridget Jones’s Diary actor recalled the first time she was introduced to Crowe through a casting agent, and the immediate camaraderie they felt towards each other. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Zellweger said,
“I remember I had this instant kinship with Cameron. He just felt like an old friend to me, and we share a lot of the same interests—he’s a writer who loves music. I loved spending time with him, the project sounded so interesting and fun, and I was very flattered that he wanted to meet.”
Crowe on his part, lauded Zellweger as one of the most insightful actors he had worked with, and how she embodied the character of Dorothy in Jerry Maguire to perfection, making her the apt choice for the role.
