Although Hollywood heartthrob Tom Cruise is often hailed as one of the most eligible bachelors, to his late mother, Mary Lee Pffiefer, he was much more than that. In Mary’s eyes, he was a devoted, kind son and a supportive brother.
For a long time, Tom put his family, especially his beloved mother, first, putting aside his own ambitions until he finally achieved fame and success. At the age of 11, he became his mother’s biggest supporter when his father left them.
Tom remains a timeless stage performer, shining in the entertainment industry and appearing on screen in romantic films, thrilling adventures and thrilling action blockbusters.
Tom was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York. Back in the 1980s, Tom emerged on the Hollywood scene as one of the most sought-after leading men of the time. He has several films to his name.
Tom’s first acting role was in 1981’s “Endless Love.” However, it was his thrilling performance as a Navy jet pilot in the 1986 top-grossing film “Top Gun” that catapulted him to superstardom. His success today is very different from when he was younger.
Tom’s Sacrifice and Commitment to Family
Tom had a tumultuous childhood. From the age of 11, Tom, his siblings, and their mother were on their own; she had three jobs, and he also had one to help her financially. After a hard day’s work, he would massage his mother’s feet and take care of her.
Tom’s family, consisting of his mother, Mary Lee Pfeiffer, his father, Thomas Cruise Mapother III, and three sisters, Lee Anne, Marian, and Catherine, moved around a lot before settling in Ottawa, Canada in 1974.
However, the family dynamics were not stable. Mary eventually left Thomas, who was said to be an abusive alcoholic. She moved to Louisville, Kentucky, United States, with her children.
In August 1975, she officially divorced Thomas. Tom was only 11 years old. After the divorce, Thomas remarried, which left Tom with “a lot of latent anger” as he struggled to understand why his father had left. He never saw his father again.
A few years later, Mary married her second husband, John “Jack” South, who became Tom’s stepfather. Mary took on three part-time jobs to support the children and ensure they had enough food.
Tom, like his sisters, formed a close relationship with his mother. Every evening, when Mary came home from work, Tom would wash her feet and give her a thirty-minute foot massage in the living room.
