Photo by @mostmemorablemedia

@mostmemorablemedia · September 16, 2026

454 Likes

48 Comments

Tom Cruise went from a young actor with a handful of supporting roles to one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in only a few years. After making his film debut in 1981’s Endless Love and appearing in Taps that same year, Cruise landed increasingly prominent parts in The Outsiders and Risky Business in 1983. Risky Business became his major breakthrough, earning more than $60 million domestically and establishing the 21 year old Cruise as a leading man during a decade filled with emerging young stars. His career reached another level with Top Gun in 1986, which became the highest grossing domestic film released that year and transformed Cruise into an international star. He followed it with major films including Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, The Firm, Interview with the Vampire and Mission: Impossible. Rather than fading after his initial 1980s breakthrough, Cruise remained a leading box office presence for decades, eventually becoming closely associated with performing elaborate practical stunts himself. More than 40 years after his first film appearance, his progression from Risky Business to Top Gun and Mission: Impossible remains one of Hollywood’s most sustained leading man careers.