Arguably Tom Cruise is one of the most prominent and sought-after actors in Hollywood with his astonishing track record of several successful blockbusters. While Will Smith has been in the race to outshine the Top Gun star in almost every aspect.
Cruise, once again, is ahead of the race in $100 million+ grosser actors. Cruise has claimed the number-one spot surpassing Brad Pitt & Chris Pratt, Dwayne Johnson, and of course, Smith. Cruse, by far, has the highest success rate in Hollywood.
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Will Smith Could Not Beat Tom Cruise’s One Precious Record
When it comes to box office numbers, Tom Cruise has been successful with most of his titles. Obviously, the actor has the Mission Impossible franchise under his belt which alone would elevate the actor to the height of fame and success. Still, his long-forged career has made him the star with a 76% success rate among the most $100 million+ grossing actors.
Will Smith is just behind Cruise’s legendary feat with his 72% success rate in the category. Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson holds 69%, Brad Pitt & Chris Pratt account for 64%. Just ahead of Jennifer Lawrence’s 55% and Angelina Jolie’s 53% mark, Leonardo DiCaprio & Jim Carrey have a success rate of 56%. Tom Hanks acquired the 8th spot with 52%. Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock hold 51% and 50% respectively. While other actors are a bit far-fetched in regard to competing with Cruise, Smith has always been a professional rival. Still, his dedication to his job has put the actor in the second rank in the chart.
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The Infamous Will Smith and Tom Cruise Rivalry
A secret admirer of a nemesis? Smith was certainly motivated by the success and fame of Cruse. In his memoir Will, the actor was candid enough to admit that he was in a one-sided race with Cruise to surpass him professionally, even seeking advice from legendary action God Arnold Schwarzenegger. “You are not a movie star if your movies are only successful in America,” Schwarzenegger told Smith (via Will).
“You are not a movie star until every person in every country on earth knows who you are. You have to travel the globe, shake every hand, kiss every baby. Think of yourself as a politician running for Biggest Movie Star in the World,” he added.
Smith was adamant in his approach as he started monitoring Cruise’s promotional activities. “[I] scanned the field of my competition to see who else knew… Who else held the secret. [Tom Cruise] was the head of the pack,” Smith wrote in Will. “When I arrived in a country to promote my movie, I would ask the local movie executives to give me Tom’s promotional schedule,” Smith continued as he vowed to do “two hours more than whatever he did in every country.” However, to The Pursuit of Happyness star, it was almost impossible to stand near his effort to retain his stardom. “Unfortunately, Tom Cruise is either a cyborg, or there are six of him,” Smith explained. Smith had no other way but to acknowledge Cruise, regardless, it was a sweet professional rivalry that, perhaps, acted as testosterone for Smith to go close to the Top Gun: Maverick star.
