Tom Cruise Eats 12 Eggs and More Before Tackling Insane Stunts—Find Out What Else He Does to Prepare for Death-Defying Acts!

Tom Cruise has made a name for himself as one of Hollywood’s most daring actors, known for performing his own stunts in the Mission: Impossible franchise and beyond. With a career spanning decades, Cruise’s passion for performing high-risk action scenes is well-documented, and it turns out, his preparation for these feats is just as intense as the stunts themselves—starting with a serious breakfast.

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Cruise, 62, shared the surprising details of how he fuels up before executing some of his most extreme stunts, including one that has earned him particular attention: wing walking. Yes, you read that right—walking along the wing of a plane mid-flight. It’s a childhood dream come true for Cruise, who remembers watching old footage of wing walking as a young boy. With the upcoming Mission: Impossible film potentially being the final installment of the series, Cruise decided it was time to bring that dream to life, but the preparation required more than just mental readiness.

A Hearty Breakfast to Power Through

For Cruise, the secret to surviving the physical toll of his daring stunts starts with food—specifically a hearty breakfast. When asked how he prepares for such physically demanding scenes, Cruise was quick to mention his go-to meal: “I actually eat a massive breakfast,” he explained. “The amount of energy it takes…” He continued, detailing just how much he fuels up: “I’ll eat, like, sausage and almost a dozen eggs and bacon and toast and coffee and fluids.” This substantial meal is designed to keep his energy levels high throughout the physically exhausting tasks he takes on.

Cruise also emphasized the extreme conditions under which these stunts take place, particularly with his wing-walking stunt, which involves high altitudes and cold temperatures. “It’s cold up there. We’re at high altitude. My body is burning a lot,” he shared, highlighting how essential it is for him to maintain a high-calorie intake to keep his body in top form.

Training for Real-Life Stunts

In addition to his impressive breakfast regimen, Cruise is known for his dedication to training in various skills that help him perform his stunts with authenticity. Whether it’s flying planes, helicopters, or parachuting, Cruise often trains for months in advance, making sure he’s prepared to execute these thrilling moments on screen. “I will learn a skill, and I know eventually I’m going to use it in a movie,” he said, explaining his proactive approach to stunt preparation.

Lately, however, Cruise has been branching out into different types of training. He’s been focusing on dance, something he finds particularly rewarding. “The teachers understand how to move a body, what the shape does, and the emotion it can create in others,” he said. Additionally, Cruise has been learning to play the piano, calling it a relaxing activity to unwind from the physical demands of his more intense training.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

The eighth installment of the Mission: Impossible series, The Final Reckoning, is set to hit theaters on May 23. As the film’s title suggests, it might just be the conclusion of an era for Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt. The film’s reported budget of $400 million is a testament to the scale of the action, and fans can expect another round of thrilling, high-octane stunts—many of which, of course, Cruise performs himself. As always, he continues to push the limits of what is possible on screen, providing audiences with some of the most unforgettable action sequences in modern cinema.

While Cruise has been hard at work promoting the film, he has also made headlines for his personal life. Recently, he was spotted spending time with actress Ana de Armas, who stars alongside him in the upcoming film Ghosted. Although the two are reportedly just friends, their recent outing—celebrating de Armas’s 37th birthday together in London—has sparked speculation. The two were seen enjoying a helicopter ride, with de Armas’s dogs joining them on the adventure, before heading to KOL, a Michelin-starred restaurant, for a Mexican dinner. Whether their connection remains platonic or evolves into something more, only time will tell.

Tom Cruise’s passion for his craft and his extraordinary commitment to physical preparation continues to captivate audiences, and his upcoming Mission: Impossible movie promises to be another thrilling chapter in his legendary career. But first, you can be sure that he’ll be fueling up with a hearty breakfast—complete with almost a dozen eggs—to tackle whatever wild stunts come next.