Tom Cruise is such a gifted actor that he’s given nice performances in each decade because the ‘80s. Whether or not he’s hanging off the aspect of a constructing or bringing us to tears, there’s little question that Tom Cruise can win over an viewers. However as I used to be today-years-old after I discovered the High Gun actor has by no means gained an Oscar earlier than, I simply needed to discover out the story behind his nominations in addition to who beat him to the win.
The Syracuse native has been appearing ever since he was 18, when he had supporting roles in Faucets and The Outsiders. However Tom Cruise’s breakthrough got here from enjoying an bold soccer participant in All of the Proper Strikes and breaking out his dance strikes in Dangerous Enterprise. As Cruise has acted in 55 motion pictures on the time of this writing, it’s onerous to imagine he nonetheless doesn’t have an Oscars statuette on his shelf. Right here’s the story behind all of his Oscars nominations and who beat him out:
1. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Tom Cruise’s first Oscar nomination was in one of many greatest warfare motion pictures ever made—Born on the Fourth of July. The biographical anti-war film follows the true story of Ron Kovic, whose patriotism conjures up him to enlist within the Vietnam Battle, solely to return again dwelling as a paraplegic. After enduring the bodily and emotional challenges Kovic experiences returning dwelling, he finally ends up turning into an anti-war activist. Cruise did an outstanding job exhibiting his character’s powerful transformation from youthful idealism about combating within the warfare to the frustration and devastation that veterans undergo.
Whereas the Oliver Stone flick gained Greatest Director and Greatest Movie Modifying, Tom Cruise didn’t win in his Greatest Actor class. As an alternative, Daniel Day-Lewis gained for My Left Foot. Paradoxically, Cruise and Day-Lewis’ nominations had so much in frequent. They each obtained nominations for portraying real-life folks with disabilities. Similar to Cruise, it was the British actor’s first film for which he bought an Oscar nomination. Whereas the Hollywood icon wasn’t the fortunate winner in 1990 to present his Oscar speech, Day-Lewis did an outstanding job portraying Christy Brown’s bodily challenges with cerebral palsy and the uncooked emotional depth of the real-life artist.
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2. Jerry Maguire (1996)
One other unbelievable film that confirmed Tom Cruise as extra than simply an motion star was enjoying the title position in Jerry Maguire. Within the Cameron Crowe dramedy, a sports activities agent decides to work independently with the bonds explored between his solely consumer and a former colleague. We had been in a position to see the Golden Globe winner present his versatility in enjoying a relatable character who has inside doubts and insecurities navigating his profession and his relationships similar to anybody else.
The Battle of the Worlds actor might have earned his second Oscar nomination for Jerry Maguire, however he didn’t get to say “Present me the cash!” on the Oscars stage for Greatest Actor. It was truly Australian actor Geoffrey Rush, who gained for the psychological drama Shine. Within the biopic, Rush performs a real-life pianist who, after struggling a psychological breakdown, decides to make a profession comeback. It was by the gifted actor’s multi-layered position of capturing his character’s fragility and power that actually resonated with audiences and critics.
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3. Magnolia (1999)
It’s no surprise that one in all Tom Cruise’s greatest characters, Frank Mackey, helped the actor obtain his third Oscar nomination as Greatest Supporting Actor for Magnolia. Within the Paul Thomas Anderson drama, Cruise’s position as a misogynistic self-help guru with weak layers beneath might have been a supporting position, nevertheless it was nonetheless memorable. He dominated each scene he was in that created a personality so larger-than-life among the many stellar ensemble solid.
Regardless of Tom Cruise’s unforgettable efficiency in Magnolia, Sir Michael Caine gained Greatest Supporting Actor on the 72nd Academy Awards for Cider Home Guidelines. Within the drama movie, he performs Dr. Wilbur Larch who served as a father determine to the orphans he cared for throughout WWII. Caine’s portrayal of the complicated, passionate actor earned him 4 different award nominations in addition to a Display Actors Guild win for his efficiency.
Watch Magnolia for hire on digital platforms.
Bonus: High Gun: Maverick (2022)
For the box-office smash sequel High Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise was among the many 2023 listing of nominees for Greatest Image provided that he was one of many producers. Earlier than the ninety fifth Academy Awards’ nominations had been introduced, his co-stars, corresponding to Glen Powell thought Cruise deserved a Greatest Actor nomination, in addition to Jennifer Connelly saying he did for the “extraordinary” onerous work he put into his efficiency. It might have been a terrific honor for the American actor to lastly maintain the Oscar statuette for portraying his character’s emotional weight and all of these spectacular flying scenes.
Sadly, Tom Cruise suffered one of many greatest snubs of 2023 for Greatest Actor. The solid and crew of the action-drama movie weren’t pleased about Cruise not being among the many nominees. Miles Teller referred to as out the Oscars snub believing how misunderstood the Mission: Not possible actor’s flawless effort was introduced out to his efficiency and the “hundreds of hours follow.” Jerry Bruckheimer additionally gave his response to the snub, calling Cruise the “heartbeat” of the film. That yr, Brendan Fraser gained his first Oscar for The Whale, portraying a reclusive English trainer attempting to make amends along with his daughter whereas his well being declines. High Gun: Maverick additionally didn’t land a Greatest Image win, with A24’s All the things All over the place All At As soon as taking dwelling the gold as an alternative.
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It’s onerous to imagine that after 4 many years of proving to audiences what a flexible actor he’s, Tom Cruise has by no means gained an Oscar. However as many nice actors discovered Oscar success later in life, there’s no purpose why Cruise can’t be amongst them one in all lately. Because the high-grossing actor’s profession isn’t stopping any time quickly, I’m assured the time will come once we’ll see Cruise holding that golden statuette with an enormous smile on his face. Possibly if the Oscars lastly take into account an award for stunts, Cruise could possibly be one of many first to win that for reaching his sensible stuntwork, in addition to appearing.