Beau Bridges’ Admiration for Tom Cruise’s Stunt Work

Tom Cruise’s ability to perform stunts has left a significant impression on his industry peers. Beau Bridges, who shared the screen with Cruise in “Jerry Maguire,” believes the actor improves with age. In an interview with People at the “Matlock” For Your Consideration event, Bridges praised Cruise’s efforts, saying, “He’s a wonderful actor and just gets better with age. I mean, he’s still doing all those crazy stunts and stuff. Yeah. And I like working with him. I thought he was great.”

Bridges is not alone in his appreciation. Ethan Hawke, speaking earlier this year, mentioned the impact Cruise has had on Hollywood. Hawke told Variety at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival that Cruise’s stunt work has altered audience and studio expectations for actors. He said, “Tom Cruise has totally changed what’s expected for actors. Some part of me is getting angry over the years because everyone somehow feels like they’re less if they use a stunt team.”

Despite never participating in superhero films, Cruise’s status as an action icon remains firm. His commitment to performing stunts in films like “Mission: Impossible,” “Top Gun,” and “Jack Reacher” solidifies his reputation. Last year, during “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” Cruise nearly injured his back while attempting a dangerous stunt.

“Oh, this almost broke my back,” Cruise said, according to Entertainment Weekly.

A particularly challenging scene involved a biplane battle where Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, jumped from one plane to another. Director Christopher McQuarrie noted the pain involved: “You’re talking about a lot of pain here,” he said during a digital release special.

Cruise’s approach continues to push boundaries. McQuarrie described a scene where Cruise held on to a seat belt while the plane flipped upside down, causing significant discomfort. “This separated the joints in Tom’s fingers from the force,” McQuarrie explained, adding that Cruise’s determination was palpable throughout the sequence.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Cruise recounted a specific moment: “Oh, that was brutal. That hit, that was a hard one.” Despite the pain, his commitment to authenticity never wavered, a fact highlighted by McQuarrie’s humorous remark that Cruise improvised a maneuver without being prompted.