Is Tom Cruise the last true movie star? Star cements his action hero status with Olympics stunt - while Scientology beliefs and rift with Suri never seem to tarnish his image

Tom Cruise cemented his status as a film icon on Sunday night as he jumped off the roof of the Stade de France to close the 2024 Olympics in Paris and passed the baton to Los Angeles, whic will host the 2028 games. 

It was a moment of crowning glory for the A-lister, 62, who has been on something of a European takeover this summer - adding a touch of superstar glamour to events such as Glastonbury and Wimbledon and dancing along to Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium.

Intriguingly, his stunt had echoes of Daniel Craig's big moment at the London 2012 Olympics when he recorded a sketch with the late Queen, followed by a live-action sequence where two stuntmen disguised as Her Majesty and Bond parachuted into the stadium from a helicopter.

Of course, Tom had to go one better by performing the stunt himself as a reminder that he's Hollywood's number one action man, who never uses a body double if he can do it himself. 

And certainly, in terms, of star power, there are few actors, if any, left in Hollywood who can compete with his particular brand: a megawatt action hero who breaks box office records while being friends with royalty and a mainstay of all the biggest social events in Europe. 

Tom Cruise cemented his status as a film icon on Sunday night as he jumped off the roof of the Stade de France to close Paris' 2024 Olympics 

With Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp's reputations tarnished by revelations from their respective ugly divorce battles and the likes of George Clooney taking a step back from acting, there's no other 'real movie star' like Tom left. 

His enduring success is all the more remarkable, given that his personal life is not without controversy. 

He is seemingly estranged from his daughter Suri, 18, and is said to play 'no part' in her lieft, largely due to his controversial religious beliefs as a key figure of Scientology.

Scientology is a set of beliefs and practices dreamt up by sci-fi writer L Ron Hubbard. He founded the church in 1952.

Its accusers say it’s a profit-hungry business rather than a religion, charging large sums to members for ‘self-improvement’ courses that lead in later stages to the ‘revelation’ that the Earth was colonized 75 million years ago by extraterrestrials.

Scientology is infamous for discouraging believers from maintaining relationships with those outside the religion and has been routinely blamed for estranging its devotees from non-believers, some of whom they dub 'Suppressive Persons'. 

Tom and his third wife Katie Holmes were married for six years after tying the knot in a Scientologist ceremony in Italy in 2006 and welcomed a daughter, Suri. 

However, as the marriage went on, sources close to Katie suggested she felt increasingly intimidated by the church, in which Tom remains a powerful figure today. 

His reputation as an icon remains untarnished - despite playing 'no part' in his 18-year-old daughter Suri's life and his controversial religious beliefs as a key figure of Scientology

The couple had married in a lavish Scientology ceremony in Italy in 2006, and Katie officially entered the church

Now, neither mother nor daughter are said to have contact with Tom, and a source revealed last year that the Top Gun star has 'no part' in his daughter's life.

When the couple split in 2012, it was reported that Katie had chosen to end the couple's marriage over fears about raising her daughter as a Scientologist.

Her decision to quit the religion, as well as the marriage, caused a major rift between the former spouses, which has seen Tom and Suri's relationship become increasingly distant over the years.

MailOnline revealed in 2016 that Katie feared she would lose Suri to Scientology, after seeing how Tom's first wife Nicole Kidman became distanced from the children she adopted with him, Bella and Connor, when they remained within the church after she left.

It was reported that Katie's final straw came when members of the Church of Scientology moved into the couple's home.

Ron Miscavige, the father of Scientology leader David, who himself renounced the religion, told DailyMail.com that there is a 'toxic' policy of 'disconnection' operating within the church - which is something Katie feared would be implemented to keep her away from her daughter.

Suri, now 18, is said to not have seen her father Tom for a number of years 

Katie was granted sole custody of their daughter while Tom was allowed 'meaningful' visitation rights (pictured in 2012)

Speaking to the website in 2016, five years before he passed away, Ron (who was estranged from David) explained that the disconnection policy sees Scientologists cut off contact with any family member who leaves the church. It happened to Ron, not only with son David, but also with his two daughters, Denise and Lori.

He claimed members of the church's staff, known as Sea Org, moved in with Cruise and Holmes, to make sure the organization's most valuable celebrity was being properly taken care of.

'That didn't sit so well with Katie, of course, and it hurt the marriage,' he said. 'She and Tom had big differences about the way life should be lived.'

'The big issue really was raising Suri as a Scientologist,' Ron said. 'If that happened, some day it was a possibility that she would disconnect from Katie.

'Ultimately this is what has happened to me.'

Katie was granted sole custody of their daughter while Tom was allowed 'meaningful' visitation rights. However, they have not been seen publicly together for a decade.

The church was founded by sci-fi writer L Ron Hubbard in 1952. Its accusers say it’s a profit-hungry business rather than a religion. It’s been particularly popular with Hollywood stars and famous actor members - led by Tom Cruise (pictured speaking in 2004 at the inauguration of a Scientology church in Madrid).

Meanwhile, Tom has continued to rise up the ranks in Scientology, and is said to be on a mission to save people from the aliens that live inside of all of us

Thetans, according to Scientology, are alien life forms that inhabit humans and have destroyed the planet in the past. 

While these kind of beliefs may be dismissed as harmless by outsiders, accusations of a much darker nature have been levelled against the church - particularly during the trial of That 70s Show star Danny Masterson, who was convicted for the rape of two women some 20 years earlier.

The controversial church, according to prosecutors and the victims, had for years protected Masterson, one of its cherished celebrity members, to such a grotesque extent that he had felt able to rape fellow Scientologists with impunity.

In court, Masterson’s victims – themselves former Scientologists – testified that in the early 2000s, at the height of his fame, he drugged and then violently raped them, while their church did all it could to stop them from seeking justice.

The church – which is considered a cult in some countries - is a party in a string of forthcoming civil cases, including two complainants from the Masterson trial, while a third case – alleging ‘psychological torture’ and ‘harassment’ – has been brought by former celebrity Scientologist Leah Remini.

His close association with the church has not done anything to diminish Tom's social standing, however. 

While plenty of actors can boast star power, he's gone one further by ingratiating himself with the British royal family. 

The Hollywood legend has attended a number of events with the royals over the years and has had starring roles in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, as well as the Coronation Concert.

Tom Cruise's cosy appearance with Prince William at the London Air Ambulance gala on Wednesday is not his first royal connection

He has been known to rub shoulders with the Prince and Princess of Wales, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Diana - and has even said King Charles can be his 'wingman'.

In the late monarch's final weeks at Windsor Castle before travelling to Balmoral where she died, she invited Cruise for tea at the royal residence.

She was said to have been disappointed that she had not met the star during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which had taken place earlier that summer.

Despite not seeing the Queen during the week of celebrations, Cruise appeared in a segment of the at the Jubilee, and said of her: 'She's a woman I greatly admire. She has tremendous dignity and I admire her devotion. What she has accomplished has been historic.'

Olympics 

The actor was strapped into a harness, as he flung himself off a ledge in front of thousands of fans before taking the Olympic flag to LA 

Tom played an important role as headed across the Atlantic - with no-one more Hollywood than the legend himself to alter LA's sign 

Tom made regular appearances in the crowds during the two weeks of the Olympics - and often became the centre of attention as fans flocked round him

Tom made regular appearances in the crowds during the two weeks of the Olympics - and often became the centre of attention as fans flocked round him for photographs and autographs. 

However, he saved the best till last as he abseiled off the roof of the Stade de France in a death-defying stunt during the extravagant handover. 

The actor was strapped into a harness, as he flung himself off a ledge in front of thousands of fans and Olympians for the grand finale of the summer Olympic closing ceremony.

He took up his position as Paris 2024 organiser Tony Estanguet thanked everyone for 'playing their part' in the Games and US R 'n' B star H.E.R. sang and played the Stars And Stripes, American national anthem on her guitar.

Once safely back on the ground, Cruise was handed the five-ringed Olympic flag by gymnast Simone Biles and the Mayor of LA which he loaded onto the back of a waiting motor-cycle.

Dressed in his trade-mark Top Gun black leather jacket, the action star then drove out of the arena standing up.

He was amongst the spectators in the women's freestyle relay swimming (pictured) and the gymnastics and proved to be the ultimate supporter

Tom shared a selfie from on top of the stadium before he did the death-defying stunt

The switch across the Atlantic kicked off with live performances from Californian natives Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg on Venice Beach.

In a pre-recorded segment, Tom then parachuted out of an aircraft and landed by the Hollywood sign where he attached the five Olympic rings. 

On Saturday, the actor cheered on the United States women's football team during their historic gold medal match.

The Hollywood star couldn't contain his excitement as his country topped the podium in the sport for the first time since 2012. 

He also was amongst the spectators in the women's freestyle relay swimming and the gymnastics. 

Dancing at Taylor Swift's London show 

Tom proved he's the most enthusiastic solo seat filler as he attended various events in Britain and Paris over the past few months (pictured at Taylor Swifts London show in June)

Tom was spotted showing his support for Taylor Swift as he attended one of her gigs in London in June. 

A clip emerged on social media of the actor dancing the night away in a VIP box at the singer's Wembley gig last month.

The Top Gun: Maverick actor was among an A-list lineup of guests, including Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Hugh Grant for the second night of the London leg of her Eras tour.

Fans said the Hollywood icon was the 'last person I expected to see' as he spent the night with Taylor's boyfriend Travis Kelce, 34, and his Mission Impossible director pal Christopher McQuarrie, 55.

The video showed Tom bopping away to Blank Space, but fans joked he 'looked so out of place' as he didn't appear to know the lyrics. 

Rubbing shoulders with Benedict Cumberbatch at Wimbledon 

From dancing at a Taylor Swift gig, to attending Wimbledon and the Olympics, Tom has been living his best life and it appears his schedule has been pretty jam packed

Tom attended the Wimbledon 2024 Championships earlier this month with pal Benedict Cumberbatch, 48, and the pair sat inside the Royal Box of All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. 

The Mission Impossible star rocked his signature shades and looked incredibly dapper wearing an eggplant-coloured suit with a white button-up and lavender necktie. 

Tom was in great spirits, smiling and waving at his English fans, and even took pictures with the entire starstruck wait staff at the adjoining restaurant. 

On Cruise's right-hand side was Christopher McQuarrie, who directed him in the final Mission: Impossible 8 scheduled to hit US/UK theaters on May 23, 2025.

Living his best life at Glastonbury 

Just last month, Tom was spotted living his best life at Glastonbury Festival as he danced with Mission Impossible co-star Simon Pegg, 54, and was joined by Gillian Anderson, 55

Last month, Tom was spotted living his best life at Glastonbury Festival as he danced and sang along to Oasis's Don't Look Back In Anger with his Mission Impossible co-star Simon Pegg.

The duo also led the stars watching Coldplay's headline set at the Pyramid Stage from a swanky VIP area. 

The actor reunited with his co-star Simon, 54, to watch the legendary band as the pair were joined by Sex Education star Gillian Anderson, 55.

In a clip shared by a fan on X, Simon and Tom could be seen standing at the barriers while the Hot Fuzz actor enthusiastically danced along to the 90s hit.

The pair were spotted chatting away in pictures seen earlier in the day, but the clip snapped by a fan showed them letting loose.

Surprise appearance at Twisters London premiere 

Tom also surprised fans when he made an appearance at the European premiere of Twisters in London last month 

Tom also surprised fans when he made an appearance at the European premiere of Twisters in London last month.

Stepping out to support his Maverick co-star Glen Powell, 35, the Hollywood A-lister posed for photos at Cineworld Leicester Square.

Glen, who played Jake 'Hangman' Seresin in the Top Gun sequel, stars as 'tornado wrangler' Tyler Owens who is forced to confront a particularly catastrophic tornado in the upcoming thriller, Twisters.

Arriving in the capital, Tom smiled for a photo alongside his co-star and captioned the Instagram post: 'Fun night with friends, watching a movie!!'

Sharing the same snap to his own account, Glen wrote: 'When your wingman follows you into the storm…' 

Glen looked dapper in a black suit with white piping as well as an unbuttoned shirt and dark red patent shoes.

Meanwhile, Tom opted for a white T-shirt with a suede bomber jacket and smart trousers.

Schmoozing with royals 

Earlier this year, Tom reunited with Prince William at a charity event, where the friendly pair joked 

Earlier this year Tom reunited with Prince William at a charity event, where the friendly pair joked about the prince's footwear for Top Gun: Maverick's 2022 UK premiere.

 Cruise was filmed escorting the Princess of Wales up stairs for that event in June 2022 - and has spoken in the past of his bond with the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Victoria Beckham's birthday party 

The A-list actor left guests at Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party in April stunned after performing an incredible 'breakdance' routine - which culminated in the splits

Tom, who famously does all his own stunts, was a surprise on the guest list at the bash. He has actually known the Beckhams for 20 years and David 'idolises' him

The A-list actor left guests at Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party in April stunned after performing an incredible 'breakdance' routine - which culminated in the splits.

Tom, who famously does all his own stunts, was a surprise on the guest list at the bash. He has actually known the Beckhams for 20 years and David 'idolises' him.

After a formal sit-down dinner, the Top Gun actor was one of the most enthusiastic dancers in the crowd of 120 at the private members club Oswalds, in Mayfair.

 Wearing full black tie, including a waistcoat, Cruise stunned many when he demonstrated a series of breakdancing moves, culminating in the splits. One guest said: 'People were absolutely dumbfounded.'