Tom Cruise is a pre-eminent actor in Hollywood who has been ruling the silver screen with his ecstatic on-screen persona and incredible acting chops. He has received many accolades throughout his career. Cruise embodies his on-screen character with nuance and naturalism, leaving fans star-struck with his magnetism.
He is one of the most respected and successful star performers in the film industry. His multi-decade reign as a top-notch leading action movie star, he never shied away from performing dangerous stunts that involve risk, winning him millions of fans worldwide.
The Top Gun movie star has achieved tremendous success in his career, and he credits his late mother, Mary Lee South, for his incredible fortune and career. The 61-year-old star once revealed that his mother encouraged him to work hard, and because of her support, he has become a star today.
Tom Cruise Credits His Late Mother For His Successful Career
Tom Cruise began working at a young age to support his family, and with his hard work and grit, the actor became one of the most bankable superstars in America. Behind his success, fame, and fortune, the actor proudly credits his late mother, Mary Lee South, for motivating him to work tirelessly and owes her for his success.
In a candid interview, the Syracuse native star shared how his mother was his solid support system and never stopped him from following his dream career. Talking about his beloved mother, he said,
“She is such a beautiful soul that she just asked me to think about what I wanted to do with my life. She never stopped me from doing anything. It was very encouraging.”
His mother, Mary Lee South, died in 2017 at age 80. Lee South once revealed that she supported her son Tom Cruise to try his luck in the movie business because she believed he had a God-given talent. The TopGun: Maverick actor has had a close and beautiful bond with his mother, and because of her love and support, he became a box-office superstar.
Tom Cruise Talks About His Childhood Struggles
Before he stepped into showbiz, Tom Cruise endured many hardships in his life. The actor was born in Syracuse, New York, to Thomas Cruise Mapother III and Mary Lee South. He grew up in poverty and had a strict Catholic upbringing, his parents had a tumultuous relationship, and they divorced when he was 11.
His mother used to do multiple jobs to support her family. At age 7, the Hollywood stalwart was diagnosed with dyslexia. The actor has admitted previously that because of his learning disorder, his classmates used to bully him. Reflecting on his childhood difficulties, Cruise told Parade,
“I had no really close friend, someone who understands you. I was always the new kid with the wrong shoes, the wrong accent. I didn’t have the friend to share things with and confide in.”
The actor was bullied in his school as he struggled with dyslexia. He continued,
“So many times the big bully comes up and pushes me. Your heart’s pounding, you sweat, and you feel like you’re going to vomit. I’m not the biggest guy, I never liked hitting someone, but I know if I don’t hit that guy hard, he’s going to pick on me all year. I go, ‘You better fight.’ I just laid it down. I don’t like bullies.”
Regardless of the struggles and difficulties he endured in his career, today, Tom Cruise dominates the global entertainment industry and is easily one of the wealthiest and most successful actors.
Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live
