Tom Cruise is as big of an actor as possible in Hollywood. Having seen the heights of success throughout his lengthy career, it is fair to say that he has been an important part of this industry since his name started gaining recognition. Being incredibly skilled at what he does, he has been part of some extremely notable projects, like the Top Gun series, Jack Reacher, Edge of Tomorrow, and most famously, his work in the Mission Impossible series. Through works like this, he has established himself as one of the most talented individuals gracing the silver screen, proving that he is deserving of his success.
With how good he is at what he does, one would expect that Cruise was made for cinema and would have wanted to be a part of it ever since he was very young. While this was the case, with him wanting to be an actor since he was four, this wasn’t always as simple for him. Interestingly enough, Cruise almost became a Catholic priest, until he was asked to leave due to some mischief that he caused.
Also Read: One of the Rare Box Office Bombs of Tom Cruise Put His Acting Career in Serious Jeopardy
Tom Cruise Wanted To Be An Actor Ever Since He Was Four
Tom Cruise, being the successful and talented actor that he is, was accepting an award for the Pioneer of the Year, via People, where he gave a speech about his relationship with Hollywood. The actor revealed that he grew up on films, going to the cinema to watch movies ever since he was young. He confessed that this was a big aspect of his life and it was his only escape from everything that he was facing at that young age. This escape, very quick became his entire world and he began to dream bigger than anyone that age could.
“I grew up going to movies. It was really my life, my escape. It was really my world. I wanted to dream and I wanted to make movies since I was 4 years old, no lie,” he said onstage. “I remember thinking I just want to do movies. I would write skits for my family. I love what I do and that started in these theaters. It’s been and is such a privilege.”
Cruise mentioned that he wanted to be a part of this industry ever since he was four years old. He would do everything in his power to make this happen, composing skits for his family to watch, and loving every second of it. This passion he had for films was so intense that he started to take theater and try to make his dream come true. The actor finished by saying that now that it has become his reality, he cannot help but look at it as a privilege.
Tom Cruise Almost Became A Priest
Despite desperately wanting to be a part of the film industry, Tom Cruise was almost going to follow a completely different path because of circumstances in his life. As revealed by Father Ric Schneider to the New York Daily Times, the actor had been a part of the Franciscan seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio as a teenager. There, he was studying to become a Catholic priest, feeling very drawn to everything surrounding it. Schneider suggested that the reason for this could perhaps have been his parents’ ongoing divorce at the time.
“Tom was instantly hooked,” Schneider recalled. “I think he wanted a good education. With his parents going through a divorce, it was tough on him, that’s maybe one of the reasons why he came here.”
A friend of Cruise at the time, Shane Dempler, also spoke on this. He revealed why the actors did not see this through, stating they were asked to leave after they got into trouble for stealing alcohol. The school wrote letters to both their parents, stating that though they were loved at the school, they would prefer if the pair did not come back.
