Paul Newman’s Advice That Still Shapes Tom Cruise’s Hollywood Playbook

In 1986, The Color of Money brought together two generations of Hollywood stardom: Paul Newman, the seasoned legend reprising his role as pool shark “Fast Eddie” Felson, and Tom Cruise, a rising star fresh off Risky Business and on the verge of superstardom with Top Gun. But their collaboration didn’t just produce an Oscar-winning performance for Newman—it gave Cruise a piece of career advice that he’s still following nearly four decades later.

The Meeting of Two Eras
Paul Newman had long been a bridge between Old and New Hollywood, transitioning seamlessly from 1950s studio epics to the grittier, more rebellious films of the 1970s. On screen, he often played mentor figures—characters who offered wisdom without condescension. Off screen, Newman embodied the same quality.

Cruise had been eager to work with him for years. Their first encounter came in 1984, when Cruise auditioned for Harry & Son, a Newman-directed drama. He didn’t get the part, but he left with an impression of Newman’s warmth and approachability. Two years later, they finally shared the screen in The Color of Money, playing a mentor-protégé duo whose relationship eventually turns competitive.

The Advice That Stuck
During filming, Newman gave Cruise a simple but lasting piece of guidance about navigating fame: “You’ve just got to live your life the best you can.”

Speaking in 2008, Cruise recalled the moment: “Right from the beginning with Risky Business, I remember talking with Paul Newman… I’ve got to prioritize because I have a family. I have a life. You have to just adjust. The basics of what I do—making movies and my love of film—that hasn’t changed. It’s just grown.”

It was advice delivered at a pivotal time. In 1986 alone, Cruise saw both The Color of Money and Top Gun released—cementing his status as one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood.

A Career Built to Last
Since then, Cruise’s personal life and religious affiliations have sparked their share of headlines, but his career longevity is undeniable. He’s consistently sought projects that not only showcase his dedication—often doing his own high-risk stunts—but also keep audiences coming back to theaters.

From the enduring Mission: Impossible series to the record-breaking success of Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise has weathered industry shifts and box office downturns. In 2023, Steven Spielberg even credited him with “saving Hollywood’s ass” and preserving theatrical distribution with Maverick’s success.

Living the Lesson
Newman’s advice wasn’t about strategy or career moves—it was about balance, prioritization, and staying true to the work. Nearly 40 years later, Cruise still frames his career around those principles, making films he loves while navigating the pressures of fame.

In an industry where careers can burn out as quickly as they ignite, that guidance has proven timeless—and, for Tom Cruise, transformational.

If you’d like, I can also craft a narrative feature version that opens on the Color of Money set in 1986, with Newman and Cruise shooting pool between takes, to give the piece a more cinematic and nostalgic tone.