Tom Cruise fans are only just realising his REAL name… and the heartbreaking reason why he changed it as an ambitious young actor

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If you’re not familiar with Tom Cruise, it’s likely that a significant portion of your life has been spent with your attention focused elsewhere.

However, unlike Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, the well-known figure in show business didn’t immediately evoke the same level of glamour or celebrity association. This is hardly surprising since he chose to abandon his given name prior to making a name for himself in Hollywood.

Certainly, Tom Cruise attempted to shorten his name as a means of breaking away from his turbulent upbringing in a rigid Catholic family headed by Thomas Cruise Mapother III, an electrical engineer, and Mary Lee Pfeiffer, a special education teacher.

1962 saw the birth of Tom Cruise in Syracuse. He spent his childhood there with three sisters, living close to poverty before relocating to New York City at the age of 18 to pursue a career in acting that would eventually catapult him into global stardom and immense wealth.

1984 saw the demise of Mapother III after a long struggle against cancer. Later on, Tom Cruise referred to his biological father as a man who was brutal, cowardly, and sowed disorder. This man often bullied and physically abused his four children.

In an interview with Parade magazine back in 2006, he shared: ‘[My father] had a habit of making you feel comfortable before surprising you with a challenge. It was a valuable lesson I learned from him – the art of seeming friendly while actually preparing you for adversity.’

For me, it felt as though I sensed, “This individual seems off. Be cautious; don’t rely on him.” That unease was present.

In 1974, when the actor was just 12 years old, his mother divorced Mapother III. For about ten years afterward, the actor and Mapother III lost contact with each other until they reconnected at Mapother III’s hospital bed right before his passing.

‘Upon witnessing his distress, it struck me, “What a solitary existence he must endure,”‘ he mused. ‘At that point in his life, around the age of 47 or so, it was truly disheartening.’

Known globally by the name Cruise, this actor is actually referred to by his full surname among close friends and relatives.

In my fervent admiration for the illustrious Cruise clan, it’s fascinating to note that Tom’s cousin, William Mapother – a celebrated name in the realm of acting with notable roles on the smash TV hit Lost and the blockbuster Zodiac – has chosen to preserve his birth-name throughout his career.

Cruise has previously credited Scientology with helping him overcome his childhood dyslexia.

In an interview with XL Semanal back in 2009, the Mission: Impossible actor revealed that he was identified as having a learning disability at the age of seven.

As a youngster, this strict adherent of Scientology frequently felt restless, irritated, and uninterested, struggling to focus during lessons.

In his own words, Cruise revealed that he struggled with basic literacy skills upon graduating from school in 1980. However, he later mastered reading fluently as an adult by utilizing the educational methods provided by Scientology.

In his statement to the media, he shared that he pondered whether he was typical or foolish. Despite attempting to focus, he experienced feelings of anxiety, irritation, and boredom instead.

‘When I graduated from high school in 1980 I was functionally illiterate.

‘I was unable to find a solution offered by others regarding the issue, which left me curious about what caused the system to break down. Eventually, on my own, I mastered reading skills using the method developed by L. Ron Hubbard as an adult.’

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2025-07-28 12:18