Michael Caine Shares What Tom Cruise Asked Him When They First Met

Michael Caine Shares What Tom Cruise Asked Him When They First Met

As a devoted cinephile, I find myself utterly enamored by the captivating tales of camaraderie and shared experiences within the world of cinema. Among these stories, few are as intriguing as that of the friendship between the legendary Michael Caine and the ever-charismatic Tom Cruise.


Known stars Michael Caine and Tom Cruise have been acquainted for quite some time, but it might surprise you to learn they met before Cruise became a household name. In recently disclosed details about their initial encounter, Caine shares that the aspiring younger actor sought his guidance – and what Caine thought of the ambitious up-and-comer at the time.

The new quotes come from Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over: My Guide to Life, Caine’s new memoir, as excerpted by UK newspaper, The Sunday Times (via Deadline). The actor was “doing a big event for Educating Rita,” hhis 1983 film, when he turned around to find a “young actor, very polite, asking questions about how not to be just a flash in the pan.”

It’s clear that the young man you’re referring to was Tom Cruise before he became famous, and it seems like that might have been during or just after his role in the movie “Risky Business“.

What Advice Did Michael Caine Give Tom Cruise?

Beyond just his politeness, Cruise also exhibited an exceptional quality, as noted by Caine: “There was something unique about him, he carried himself with such grace.” Unsurprisingly, given Caine’s expertise and Cruise’s own understanding, the actor demonstrated a keen foresight and focus on sustaining his career – a goal that both are familiar with.

In a recent statement, the newly-retired Caine admitted, “I’m unable to recall exactly what I told Cruise back then.” However, as the actor from Alfie put it directly, “apparently, whatever I said didn’t seem to have caused him any trouble!

If you happen to have Tom Cruise’s phone number and fancy giving him a call to inquire about the advice Michael Caine shared with him that evening, there are many who might find it intriguing.

“What interests me is that he is really one of the last true stars in movies. … There are so few nowadays — not like John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart or Cary Grant.”

Caine praised Cruise as one of the remaining exceptional movie stars. “What captivates me is that he truly embodies one of the last authentic movie stars. An audience will flock to a film simply because he’s featured. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman also possess this quality, albeit less frequently — not like John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart or Cary Grant.

The two celebrated and honored actors have maintained their friendship since then. As Tom has been acquainted with me for over forty years, Caine stated. Cruise managed to astonish the actor on his 90th birthday. “For my 90th birthday celebration at the River Café,” Caine’s wife of 51 years, Shakira, had planned Tom Cruise’s surprise attendance. I was deeply moved by this gesture.

Of course, the Cruise story is just one of many engaging tidbits featured in the excerpts (as told to journalist Matthew d’Ancona), given the longevity of Caine’s career. Vin Diesel, Richard Burton, Laurence Olivier, The Italian Job, James Bond and even a film review from Vladimir Putin all come up in the excerpts, proving the follow-up to his 2018 memoir, Blowing the Bloody Doors Off, will be high atop the wish lists of many a cinephile across the world.

Michael Caine’s upcoming memoir titled Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over: My Guide to Life is set for release in both the United States and Canada on March 25, 2025, while it will be available in the U.K. on November 7, 2024.

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2024-11-04 03:05