At 18 years old, Cruise made a pivotal decision with his mother and stepfather's support to relocate to New York City, embarking on a journey to pursue an acting career. After a stint as a busboy in the city, he ventured to Los Angeles in pursuit of television opportunities. Securing representation with CAA, Cruise transitioned into the film industry, marking his debut with a minor role in the 1981 film "Endless Love" before landing a significant supporting part as a volatile cadet in "Taps" later that year. Initially cast as a background actor, Cruise's standout performance impressed director Harold Becker, resulting in an expanded role.

In 1983, Cruise joined the ensemble cast of Francis Ford Coppola's "The Outsiders," followed by notable roles in "All the Right Moves" and the seminal "Risky Business," lauded as a quintessential "Generation X classic" and a pivotal moment in Cruise's burgeoning career. Additionally, Cruise headlined Ridley Scott's "Legend" in 1985. By the release of "Top Gun" in 1986, Cruise had solidified his status as a Hollywood superstar.

Cruise continued his success with Martin Scorsese's "The Color of Money" the same year, sharing the screen with Paul Newman and earning acclaim for their on-screen chemistry. Despite the critical reception of "Cocktail" in 1988, Cruise rebounded with a powerful performance in Barry Levinson's "Rain Man," opposite Dustin Hoffman, which earned him accolades and recognition.

In 1989, Cruise tackled the challenging role of paralyzed Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic in Oliver Stone's "Born on the Fourth of July." His transformative portrayal earned him numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award and his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

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