Tom Cruise: I ‘Came Across Arrogant’ On 2005 ‘Today’ Show Appearance

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Tom Cruise,Oprah Winfrey,Brooke Shields,NBC,Matt Lauer,Rock,Katie Holmes,Suri Cruise

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Tom Cruise on NBC’s the ‘Today’ show on Monday with Matt Lauer
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Tom Cruise walks in Manhattan
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Tom Cruise and his daughter Suri Cruise walk in Manhattan
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Tom Cruise on NBC’s the ‘Today’ show on Monday with Matt Lauer

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FIRST PUBLISHED: December 15, 2008 10:36 AM EST
LAST UPDATED: December 15, 2008 1:48 PM EST

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. --

Tom Cruise returned to NBC’s the “Today” show on Monday — over three years after her called host Matt Lauer “glib” during a discussion about Brooke Shields taking anti-depressants following her pregnancy – a discussion the actor said did not represent who he really is and one that helped him learn “a good lesson.”

And while Tom may have been on the NBC show to discuss his new film “Valkyrie,” but Matt first started the interview by clearing the air.

According to Matt, the “Today” show had an outpouring of about 10,000 viewer e-mails following the actor’s last appearance. Tom said he also received a similar sizable response from fans.

“I thought in looking at myself, ‘Man that came across as arrogant,’” Tom admitted at the top of the interview.

“After looking at it, it’s not what I had intended,” Tom continued.. “That’s one of those things that you go, ‘I could have handled that better.’ I didn’t communicate it the way that I wanted to communicate it. That’s not who I am… I learned a good lesson.”

Tom said he will continue to speak publicly about Scientology and the “humanitarian” issues that he feels strongly about, but only when its appropriate.

“I just think there’s a time and a place for it. Things can get misunderstood and twisted,” Tom said. “When people are tuning in to hear about my movie, that’s what I’m here to talk about it.”

Matt noted that having Tom back on the “Today” show was not a “rematch” or “Rocky 2.” He said there is no “hate” or “animosity” between them.

In fact, Matt said he was pleasantly “surprised” that Tom showed up at his Friars Club roast last October, but joked with Tom saying, “I watch you walk out and thought, ‘I am in a load of trouble – I’m not even wearing a Kevlar vest!’”

Matt also noted that he has not seen the actor on top of any couches lately – something that Tom makes no apologies for.

“I can’t help that,” he said, referring to his famous couch jumping antics on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2005. “[Katie’s] an amazing woman.”

And will Tom and Katie adding another member to their family?

“I think that’s the question for the women,” Tom added.

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