Tom Cruise Tells Kids: You Have to Earn It
 NY Team/Most Wanted |
Connor Antony Cruise recently made his big-screen debut in the Will Smith film Seven Pounds, and while Will and Connor’s dad Tom Cruise are good friends, no favors were called in on the 13 ½-year-old’s behalf. So said Tom during a recent interview with The Insider. “They have to earn it,” Tom explained. “They’ve grown up in it, but there’s a point where there is the difference of watching [the film industry] and, ‘Do you want to do it? Do you really want to do it?’” Like any other actor with no experience, Connor auditioned for the part while Will and Tom — also dad to 16-year-old Isabella Jane and 2 ½-year-old Suri — waited outside.
“We’re standing out in the hall, we were kind of nervous, looking at our watches, saying, ‘What’s going on in there?’”
The process was an enjoyable one for Connor, who remains undecided on whether or not he’ll pursue a career in acting full-time. “He still likes sports, he likes to read, so we’ll see ultimately what he wants to do,” Tom, 46, said. “It’s his decision…Whatever they want to do, we’re there [for them].” That much is evident when Tom was asked if he’d support a career in acting or modeling for Suri. “Whatever she wants,” he replied, adding,
“I love being an actor and all my kids have grown up on movie sets. They’re always there. And Kate is an actress and she will carry Suri around on stage while she’s with the other actors running lines. No matter what, just like when we were kids, they’re going to do whatever they want to do.”
Suri is Tom’s daughter with actress Katie Holmes; Connor and Bella are his children with ex-wife Nicole Kidman.
Source: The Insider
- Posted on Dec 31, 08 at 3:00PM
- Permalink
- 15 Comments
December 31st, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I like the Cruise and Smith families, but I’m sorry, I don’t believe for a second that the mums and dads didn’t have a big hand in the film roles the children have got. The kids are gorgeous, and I’m sure they’re great actors, but for sure their inherited fame got them the parts. I really want to see that film when I get the chance, it looks really good.
December 31st, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I’m really interested in seeing Seven Pounds too. Looks good.
December 31st, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I agree. I love both families and think they’re great, but unless you tell me that Connor went in there under an alias with a random chaperone there is no way I’d believe his role had nothing to do with his parents. I’m not saying it’s wrong but even if a word wasn’t mentioned about it from Tom or Will, I’m sure the directors and such would feel pressure. I’m sure Connor did an awesome job though!
December 31st, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Those kids don’t have to EARN fame, and the fame that is already there does not disappear. And from what has been shown of Suri, it’s obvious how privileged she is. Not judging their parents, but I mean they have the money, it’s not a sin to spend it.
January 1st, 2009 at 12:52 am
i know that connor is adopted, but does anyone else think his eyes look just like tom’s? they have the same intensity.
January 1st, 2009 at 12:55 am
pardon me, “was” adopted. i’m striving to incorporate adoption-positive language.
January 1st, 2009 at 1:37 am
Oh Puhleez. Yes, Connor had to audition, but would he have even had the opportunity to audition if Tom Cruise wasn’t his father? I highly doubt it. I’m sure his Dad had something to do that!
January 1st, 2009 at 11:43 am
I just saw the movie last night. I had totally forgotten Connor was even in it; he doesn’t speak and his part just lasts for a minute. The movie was really good, but if you’re pregnant maybe hold off till it comes on video/your baby is born. I cried for a solid half hour at least…went through all my tissues! I think most people would cry a bit, but the hormones definitely made it worse. Marley and Me would probably have made a better date night for my husband and me, haha.
January 1st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
LOL, MZ that’s cute! I was bawling during Seven Pounds too. Not really a feel-good date movie
January 1st, 2009 at 10:57 pm
I think it is hard for kids to stay under the radar and out of the whole celeb scene when you have a ‘mega’ star parent let alone 2. I’m sure a lot of these kids are talented if it’s what they’ve grown up with and it’s always been around them then I’m sure they’ll pick it up. Or in cases like The Smiths and Willis kids they have the gene.
Michael Schumacher’s son goes to driving/racing lessons and he uses his mum’s maiden name and his grandfather takes him so no one knows who his dad (and Uncle) is.
People want to see celeb babies and watch them grow up, myself included but as soon as they try to step out on their own ‘we’ say that everything is given to them on a plate because of who their parents are.
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:22 am
Grandma2Three- Well, did the other kids who auditioned for that part have superstar parents? I’m guessing not, since we haven’t heard of any other celeb children trying out for that part. Obviously they still got the chance to audition. So who’s to say Connor wouldn’t have gotten the chance if Tom weren’t his father?
That said, I think what Tom meant is that he didn’t influence the casting of Connor in any way other than simply being, well, Tom Cruise (in otherwords, yes, the people in charge of casting probably DID feel some pressure because of who Connor’s father is).
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
MZ Marley and Me wouldn’t be a great choice if you don’t want to cry!
I will see seven pounds I think. I heard it’s good. And I agree that the kids are priviledged. If I was a casting agent I would consider the publicity they can bring to my movie.
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Celebbabylover:
I used to care for a child “in the business”. There is intense competition just to land a chance to audition. Thousands of child actors are out there vying for one of those spots. I’m sorry, I just don’t believe being Ton Cruise’s son didn’t help Connor get the audition in the first place. I’m not saying Connor still didn’t have to win the role and I’m not saying I wouldn’t do the same for my own child. I am saying there’s no way being Tom Cruise’s son didn’t help him get his foot in the door.
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I somehow doubt that Connor would have been turned down for the part even if he had been awful. I hope he had a good experience filming, though.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I-dra Says:
January 1st, 2009 at 12:52 am
i know that connor is adopted, but does anyone else think his eyes look just like tom’s? they have the same intensity.
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Funny you should bring this up my co-workers and i always talk about that fact that Connor looks like Tom. It’s good to know we didn’t talk ourselves into it and that someone else things this as well lol