Access Hollywood – Celebrity News, Photos & Videos

Since dancing in to our hearts as an underwear-clad youth in “Risky Business,” Tom Cruise has enjoyed a stellar spot as the all-American guy we all love to love on the big screen. Prone during his youth to playing ‘Aww-shucks’ guys with big grins, the actor has matured into one of the highest paid actors of our time and has acted in 13 films grossing over $100 million.

Tom, born in Syracuse, NY in 1962, led a nomadic youth, reportedly attending a total of 15 schools. Perhaps it was this endless wandering that led him to enter the seminary at 14 with ambitions of becoming a priest. After a year he headed back to high school and developed a keen interest in wrestling. Lucky for his fans, he moved on due to a knee injury and took up acting instead.

His first film role was a small part in the Brooke Shields film “Endless Love.” The affable Tom went on to star in some of the hottest films of the 80’s including 1986’s “Top Gun” and the 1988 Best Picture winner “Rain Man.” He’s taken plenty of risks along the way, with offbeat performances in movies like “Interview with the Vampire” and Vanilla Sky.”

Fans seem to love Tom best though when he’s tearing up the action, a la “Top Gun” or in his high-tech and high-espionage “Mission: Impossible” movie series.

Tom’s made no bones about his dedication to his religion, Scientology. In June 2005, he argued passionately about his beliefs and psychiatry on NBC’s “Today” show during a now infamous interview with Matt Lauer.

That same year, he was best remembered for jumping on Oprah Winfrey’s couch, declaring his love for Katie Holmes, who he later married in November 2006.

Tom’s been married three times: first to Mimi Rogers, second to Nicole Kidman, and then Holmes. He has two children with Kidman, Isabella and Connor, and one child with Holmes, Suri.