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PIX: The Different Faces OF Tom Cruise
'I love what I do. I take great pride in what I do. And I can't do something halfway, three-quarters, nine-tenths. If I'm going to do something, I go all the way.'
For the past 31 years, Tom Cruise has done just that -- regale those million plus fans with his age-defying good looks, blockbuster treats and incomparable appeal.
From Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Brian De Palma, Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott to Cameron Crowe, Ron Howard, Paul Thomas Anderson, Michael Mann and Bryan Singer, Cruise has worked with the finest in show business but is far from burned out. The man's phenomenal pull, exemplary focus and ability to succeed against odds makes him one of the most bankable and beloved international icons of his times.
Considering the superstar's grand resume, it's but natural that the actor, who turns (believe it or not) 50 next month, has dabbled in an array of roles and get-ups. From blood sucker to rock star, here's looking at the many faces of Tom Cruise.
Rock of Ages
Black nail polish, eye liner, fur, bandana and tights, the actor plays Stacee Jaxx, lead singer of a rock band with such panache, he's been touted as the best thing about the musical, which opens in theatres today.
Tropic Thunder
Don't think Tom Cruise has a sense of humour?
Better catch the star doing an outrageous, profanity-spewing and, more importantly, unrecognizable cameo as Les Grossman in pal Ben Stiller's favourably received comedy, Tropic Thunder.
Valkyrie
In Bryan Singer's ambitious period piece set against World War II, Cruise wear an eye-patch and uniform to play the real life character of German Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, an active participator in the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
Collateral
Going against type, Cruise surprised everyone with his deadpan antagonism as the grey-haired hit man in Michael Mann's crisp thriller co-starring Jamie Foxx and Mark Ruffalo.
The Last Samurai
Brimming with extravagant action pieces and a picturesque exploration of old-school virtue, this 19th century epic relies on Cruise's superstar muscle to reach out to a mega audience.
Jerry Maguire
Who wouldn't love a man with a mission statement?
Tom Cruise lends so much heart and credibility to sports agent Maguire's can-do spirit in Cameron Crowe's most special film, he has us all at hello.
Magnolia
Where did the super adorable Jerry Maguire learn to talk like that?
Then again, that's the beauty of being an artist, a saint can turn sinner and Cruise can go from 'You complete me' to 'I'm Frank T.J. Mackey, a master of the muffin and author of the Seduce and Destroy system now available to you on video and audio cassette.'
As the pony-tailed, leather-clad self-help guru, Cruise delivered one of his career-best deliveries leading to an Academy nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Mission Impossible
The message may have self-destructed in five seconds but our memory of Cruise's turn as the sleek agent Ethan Hunt saving the world from nuclear holocaust, deadly viruses or international terrorism is stuff money-minting franchise is made of.
Interview with the Vampire
There's no greater compliment than an author, who first publically disapproved of Cruise's casting as the vampire Lestat in Neil Jordan's luscious adaptation of the Anne Rice novel Interview with the Vampire, retract her former statement to pronounce him as ideal choice, 'The charm, the humor and the invincible innocence which I cherish in my beloved hero Lestat are all alive in Tom Cruise's courageous performance.'
A Few Good Men
Rob Reiner's Oscar-nominated courtroom drama is a star-studded affair with Cruise projecting a young, cocky lawyer along with the lovely Demi Moore even though its Jack Nicholson who steals the show and the climax with his intense baritone and towering persona.
Born of the Fourth of July
Essaying the complexities -- physical and psychological of the real-life character of disabled Vietnam war veteran Ron Kovic in Oliver Stone's Born of the Fourth of July earned tremendous accolades for Cruise including an Best Actor nomination at the Oscars which he lost to Daniel Day-Lewis for My Left Foot.
Top Gun
Even after 26 years, Top Gun continues to be the quintessence of cool.
Especially etched in our minds is Cruise's turn as the swaggering pilot Maverick what with all his paraphernalia of cool bikes, fighter aircrafts, aviators, hot uniform and killer smile.
Risky Business
The visual of Tom Cruise in nothing more except a pale white shirt, underwear and socks dancing to Bob Seger's Old Time Rock and Roll ranks right up there with Audrey Hepburn's LBD moment from Breakfast at Tiffany's and Marilyn Monroe's flowy white number in The Seven Year Itch.