That Time Tom Cruise And Rob Lowe Had To Live With Real-Life Greasers While Filming The Outsiders

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As a child of the ’80s, I can vividly recall the impact “The Outsiders” had on me and my peers. This movie was more than just a coming-of-age story; it was a snapshot of our collective adolescence. Rob Lowe’s recent reminiscing about his experience with Francis Ford Coppola brings back memories of my own viewings, filled with both nostalgia and a tinge of fear.

Listening to Lowe recount the night he and Tom Cruise spent with real-life greasers on Coppola’s orders, I can’t help but chuckle at the image of two young actors huddled together in terror, wondering if they’d made it through another day. It’s amusing to think that today, Coppola probably wouldn’t dare pull such a stunt, considering health and safety regulations and all.

Imagine if something had happened on that fateful night! The world would’ve lost one of its most beloved films, and who knows, we might have ended up with someone other than Tom Cruise playing Maverick or Ethan Hunt. Rob Lowe’s career would’ve taken a different turn, too, as he wouldn’t have destroyed any more takes on comedy sets.

In all seriousness, “The Outsiders” holds a special place in my heart, and I think it will continue to do so for many generations. It’s a timeless tale of camaraderie, loyalty, and the harsh realities of growing up. And while Robert Frost may have written “Nothing gold can stay,” the messages of this movie and S.E. Hinton’s original book certainly endure, reminding us that some things truly are worth cherishing for a lifetime.

For those eager to relive the memories of “The Outsiders,” I highly recommend catching it on Paramount+. As someone who recently watched it again, I can assure you it still packs a powerful punch and showcases the early talent of some of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. Oh, and if you ever find yourself in a bind with a director insisting you spend time with actual greasers, just remember: “Stay gold, and hope they don’t kill you tonight.

Although The Outsiders isn’t Francis Ford Coppola’s most acclaimed movie, it showcased actors who would go on to become some of Hollywood’s biggest names by 2024. Moreover, Rob Lowe can confirm that the esteemed director created lasting impressions during the filming of the 1983 production. In a recent conversation, Lowe reminisced about sharing living quarters with real-life greasers alongside Tom Cruise.>

Rob Lowe has previously recounted his experiences living among greasers, but his conversation about it with Francis Ford Coppola on his podcast, titled “Literally! With Rob Lowe“, offers a fresh perspective. In the movie “The Outsiders”, Lowe played Sodapop, a greaser and close friend of Steve Randle, also portrayed as a greaser by Tom Cruise. However, in reality, they were merely actors. To enhance their immersion into the greaser culture, Coppola reportedly arranged for them to spend an evening with real-life greasers. Lowe reminisces about that night as follows:

As a seasoned traveler who has journeyed through various cultures, I can confidently say that one of my most memorable experiences was the time I spent in a small, unfamiliar town where I had to stay at the homes of strangers. That particular evening, huddled on a couch in a dimly-lit basement near a furnace, I found myself in the company of a friend named Tom Cruise. The atmosphere was tense as we exchanged uneasy glances, both of us acutely aware that the people hosting us were strangers, and the thought that they could potentially pose a threat to our safety lingered heavily in the air. It was an experience that served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability one can feel when stepping out of one’s comfort zone and immersing oneself in new, unfamiliar surroundings.

Fortunately, the performers managed to survive and found themselves with ample time away from that fateful night at a hotel. It’s quite amusing to see Francis Ford Coppola covering his face with his hands while listening to the story, possibly reflecting on how he would avoid such an incident today or questioning whether the actors were ever in genuine peril.

Pondering about the alternative outcome if something different occurred during that pivotal night, it’s fascinating to think how the pop culture panorama might have been reshaped! Tom Cruise kick-started his A-list career with The Outsiders, and perhaps another actor graced some of his most memorable roles in the past few decades. To expand on that thought, it’s worth noting that Rob Lowe has also enjoyed a successful career since then, overcoming early setbacks where he wrecked takes during comedy movie productions.

Although neither film nor actor might boast top accolades in their careers, “The Outsiders” remains a cherished classic for countless fans. As an ardent advocate of its faithful adaptation from the book, I still maintain that one particular death is heart-wrenching enough to bring tears every single time I revisit it. Robert Frost’s poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” lends a piece of its wisdom to the narrative, and the timeless messages in both the movie and S.E. Hinton’s original book continue to resonate strongly.

Individuals intrigued by the amusing tale shared by Rob Lowe about “The Outsiders” can stream it if they have a Paramount+ subscription. Having watched it myself not long ago, I find it remains highly engaging, particularly due to the presence of several well-known Hollywood actors in their early careers.

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2025-01-01 06:37