Tom Cruise is one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood today. A significant part of his fame comes from his relentless dedication to his craft, as he has been performing increasingly dangerous stunts for over 40 years in his career.
Notably, each time he embarks on a new film project, the level of danger in the stunts he participates in seems to escalate. This raises questions for audiences about the limits of physical ability and the determination of this renowned action star, often dubbed the “King of Action Movies.”
Tom Cruise has performed many dangerous stunts on the big screen – Source: Internet
It’s not just about impressive chase scenes or typical fight scenes; Tom Cruise has previously executed several genuinely dangerous stunts with very high risks, which even seasoned professionals would hesitate to attempt.
This is most evident in the Mission: Impossible series, one of the most prominent franchises associated with Tom Cruise. The actor has scaled heights of 2000 feet (approximately 610 meters) in Mission: Impossible 2, and later ascended the Burj Khalifa, standing at 1700 feet (over 518 meters), the tallest building in the world, in the blockbuster Ghost Protocol.
Next, in Rogue Nation, Tom Cruise took on not just one, but two particularly dangerous stunts. First, he hung from the side of a plane during takeoff, reaching an altitude of 1000 feet (305 meters). Then, the actor had to hold his breath and film for six minutes underwater—a feat that requires not only exceptional physical conditioning but also meticulous preparation akin to military training. Recently, however, Tom Cruise’s record was surpassed by Kate Winslet, who held her breath for 7 minutes and 47 seconds during the filming of Avatar: The Way of Water.
The dangerous stunts in various action scenes that Tom Cruise performed increase over time – Source: Internet
In the film Fallout, Tom Cruise continued to push the limits of his physical capabilities by jumping from an aircraft at an altitude of 25,000 feet (7620 meters). To achieve this, the actor had to undergo a rigorous 2000-hour professional training course.
The “never say die” spirit is something Tom Cruise continues to uphold outside of the Mission: Impossible franchise. The actor has been known to film in precarious situations such as during The Mummy, or by learning how to execute stunts while carrying nearly 40 kg of gear in Edge of Tomorrow.
To visualize how Tom Cruise performs these dangerous stunts mentioned above, check out the video below.
