Tom Cruise’s on and off-set shenanigans during the filming of Risky Business made headlines after they were disclosed in his co-star’s memoir, Revenge of the Nerd. Besides offering an exclusive glimpse into the then up-and-coming Cruse in the heart of the ’80s, Curtis Armstrong’s autobiographical insights shed light on an intense anecdote that left the former exasperated.
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One of the chapters of Armstrong’s book was exclusively extracted and reported by THR. Here, the Supernatural alum had a thing or two to say about Cruise’s purported romantic associations, his ambition as a Hollywood rookie on the brink of stardom, and his on-set antics with fellow co-stars of Paul Brickman’s raunchy teen comedy.
A Look Into Tom Cruise’s Romantic Escapades
Revenge of the Nerd talked of Cruise’s ambitious yet carefree disposition; something that is synonymous with one’s late teens-early twenties. When it concerned his career, the Top Gun star was disciplined and particular about his endeavors.
His determination was unparalleled. The unwavering dedication that the actor is widely acclaimed for even today is something that was instilled into him a long time back. As affirmed by Curtis Armstrong, Tom Cruise “possessed an absolute and voracious ambition.”
The following statement can further elucidate Cruise’s perseverance and drive as a 19-year-old youngster:
“There was, though, an aura around this good-looking but otherwise unremarkable teen that suggested that anyone who stood in his way, or underestimated him in any way, did so at his or her own peril.”
While his unbridled passion was evident from his professional demeanor, the actor wasn’t deterred from embarking on wild and reckless romantic explorations. Not only did Armstrong’s memoir mention Cruise’s affair with Risky Business co-star Rebecca De Mornay, but it also disclosed private details about his carnal shenanigans.
In one instance, it was detailed that Cruise abstained from drinking with his co-stars because he had to “work out” and read the Bible before bed. Alas, what Armstrong eventually discovered hinted at something a little more suggestive.
Take a look:
“Returning late one night, I found three or four young girls […] lined up in the hall outside of Tom’s room. […] Tom’s door opened and another girl came out, adjusting her hair and taking off down the hall, while the first girl in line slipped into Tom’s room. This was a young man who knew something about time management and understood how to successfully juggle Bible study and bl*w j*bs.”
The memoir included not only accounts of Cruise’s frivolous escapades but also a noteworthy incident involving him and his Risky Business co-star, Bronson Pinchot. During a scene rehearsal, Pinchot’s improvisation pushed Cruise to the point of anger.
Tom Cruise’s Intense Encounter With Bronson Pinchot
Curtis Armstrong recounted a rehearsal for the opening poker game sequence in the $63M film. Here, Pinchot’s improvisation angered Cruise. Matters escalated when the Perfect Strangers actor made a remark directed at Joel Goodsen, Tom Cruise’s character, that ended up offending the Jerry Maguire star.
Following was Armstrong’s account of the incident:
“One improv started heating up when Barry [Pinchot’s character] called Joel a “sl—t-f—er.” Tom got angry and said, evenly, that he didn’t f— sl—ts. Bronson said he imagined actually that he, Tom, had f—ed several.”
Armstrong found Pinchot’s remark amusing, but Cruise was upset by the unexpected accusation:
“I thought it was funny, but Tom didn’t and it got very tense, with Bronson finally whining, “Joel, don’t do this to me!”
It’s a well-known fact that the world of Hollywood is not without its fair share of challenges. The premise of the excerpted chapter from Curtis Armstrong’s memoir is a prime illustration of the type of challenges that might develop in the entertainment business. From on-set romances to heated disagreements, a lot can happen behind the scenes. Although dealing with them at the moment may be unpleasant, they often evolve into lighthearted anecdotes to reflect fondly upon.
Despite such hurdles, Risky Business was a huge hit and was hailed as one of the greatest films of 1983.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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