Why Tom Cruise Does His Own Stunts—And How It Nearly Cost Him an Oscar

Tom Cruise’s fearless commitment to performing his own stunts has become a signature element of his career, setting him apart as one of Hollywood’s most daring actors. His dedication to authenticity and physicality is especially evident in the Mission: Impossible franchise, where Cruise continually pushes the limits of what’s possible on screen.

🧗‍♂️ The Origins of Cruise’s Stunt Legacy

Cruise’s love for doing his own stunts traces back to the early days of his career. In the 1983 film The Outsiders, he spontaneously performed a backflip off a car—a move that astonished his co-stars and marked the beginning of his stunt legacy. Actor Rob Lowe recalled, “Tom was the only one who did it… that’s where it started for him.” This early display of physical daring foreshadowed Cruise’s future as an action icon known for performing jaw-dropping feats himself.

🎬 Stunts That Nearly Cost Him an Oscar

Cruise’s determination has led him into some harrowing situations. During the filming of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, he insisted on executing a dangerous wing-walking stunt on a biplane soaring over South Africa. The sequence turned perilous when exhaustion set in—Cruise found himself unable to lift off the wing. Meanwhile, the plane was running low on fuel, making it impossible to land safely in his position. In a dramatic rescue, Cruise managed to crawl back into the cockpit and restore his oxygen supply just in time.

Despite such close calls, Cruise’s commitment to performing his own stunts has added an unparalleled layer of realism and intensity to his films, earning him widespread admiration.

🏆 Recognition at Last: The Honorary Oscar

After decades of groundbreaking work and several Academy Award nominations for acting and producing, Cruise is finally set to receive an Honorary Oscar at the 2025 Governors Awards on November 16. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences praised him not only for his extraordinary contributions to cinema but also for his dedication to the stunt community—a group often overlooked in Hollywood accolades.

Tom Cruise’s unwavering devotion to doing his own stunts has redefined action filmmaking, inspiring both audiences and industry peers alike. While his stunts have sometimes put him in life-threatening situations, they have also solidified his legacy as one of the most fearless performers in cinematic history. This Honorary Oscar is a long-overdue recognition of his multifaceted impact on the industry—and a celebration of the man who literally puts his body on the line for his art.