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Many may jump to conclusions that Connor Cruise landed the role in “Seven Pounds” because Tom Cruise pulled some strings. The “Valkyrie” actor insists that his kids must earn their acting roles and that he did not call in any favors for Connor.
Tom said, "They have to earn 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?’ "
He went on to talk about when Connor auditioned for the part in “Seven Pounds”. He and good friend Will Smith were pacing back and forth in the hall way waiting for him to finish.
"We’re standing out in the hall, we were kind of nervous, looking at our watches, saying, ‘What’s going on in there?’ "
Tom Cruise’s kids are definitely no strangers to movie sets.
"But my kids have grown up on movie sets. They’re always there. 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."
I wonder if Isabella Cruise has any interest in the acting biz and it will be interesting to see what decisions Suri Cruise makes when she gets older.
Image Credit: Bauer Griffin
LOL LOL………..laughable. If TC thinks that the general public believes that Conner Cruise’s name carries little if any weight than he truly must think that the public is moronic. Of course, Conner got that role b/c TC is his dad….the Cruise name opens doors and TC is a fool for making the above statement. LOL….just laughable.
I am not sure the context in which this interview went down… but I get what Tom is saying, he is just not owning that fact that he is the strings:)
He doesnt have to say a damn word….
But it is cute that he thinks that, and maybe conner thinks that too.. who cares…
do you think kate hudson would have been the star she was if it were not for HER mom.. please;)
There are a lot of things that Tom says that I don’t agree with, or that I think are PR BS, but I can see this one being true. My best friend is a pretty well known actor, and when his son (who was 21 at the time) wanted to be an actor he asked his dad “come on dad, cant you just get me the role?”. His dad said no, that the son would have to earn it on his own by auditioning just like anyone else. I think its true in both cases (the Cruise family & my friends) that the name recognition helped get them a foot in the door, but I know in my friends case (and it sounds the same in connor’s too) that name only gets you so far. You still have to audition, you still have to win the role. It’s definitely a case of “how bad do you want this? are you willing to work for this?” I don’t see it as a case of the parent pushing the child into it, or even making deals to get the kid into the business. In my friends case, his son enjoyed the work he did, but realized it was more the fame that he was looking for, not so much the actual acting. He is still doing some local theatrical acting, but decided to take some time to really evaluate if he wants to be an actor; to put in the time to possibly become famous.
I can see Tom instilling the same work ethic in his own children – anyone who has seen Tom in an interview (whether you like him or not) can see that he’s very proud of the fact that he started working young to help his family out. I think that this shows he would want the same out of his own children. Are they more privilidged than the average kid roaming the street? Without a doubt, but though they may have more resources available to them, it doesnt mean they dont have to work to get jobs in the entertainment industry. I guess what it boils down to is – when you watch 7 pounds, is it connor on the screen or is it Tom? The answer is quite simply Connor. Name will only get you so far, after that, it’s up to the individual to put in the work, and put out a great product.
Jenna, I’m laughing with you. Sorry, “Katie* but when the movie’s star, Smith, is standing outside the audition room with Connor’s father, who he happens to be best friends with, it’s just a “little” hard to believe that it doesn’t carry any weight.
Tyler, I’m not dense enough to think that Connor walks into the room and “no one has any clue who he is”. I said as much in my post – of course people know who he is, who his dad is. It’s a fact of life & always will be. I don’t think that Tom is saying that either. What I am saying is that Connor wasn’t just handed the role because his dad is Tom. Just like Will Smith’s kids weren’t handed their roles either. Each kid had to try out, and its up to the casting director to decide if that kid is a good fit or not. Yes, Connor’s last name is Cruise, and yes, that most assuredly helped get him an audition (you’d have to be dumb to think otherwise), but that’s not what Tom was saying when he meant his kids “earn” the jobs they want. He means that Connor had to a) audition (and if you think theyre going to automaticaly put him in the film because his last name is Cruise, thats a nope. Casting directors are tough, and will make the kid try out – especially given that this is his first film). b) show up and participate. Don’t show up perpetually late, learn your lines, your blocking, etc. As I said before, it’s Connor doing the work, not Tom, so they want to make sure they are getting a good performance out of him. The producers, casting, et al. aren’t going to put a million $$ movie at risk just to put someone’s kid in it.
I’m glad to hear Tom is making sure his kids earn their roles; but in the same instance – how come their is fuss about it & not about other celebs who have had their kids in films? Like I mentioned, Will Smith himself has also had his children is showbiz (though they also auditioned for their roles) – but I’m highly doubting Shiloh Jolie-Pitt “auditioned” for her cameo in Benjamin Button.
I’m not always kosher on Tom’s parenting styles, but I like this one. I’ve known a lot of spoiled rich kids who as given everything under the sun, and when they become adults and the real world comes calling – they know nothing about it. I think it’s great to have kids earn things when they’re younger – gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Katie, to me, Tom comes across as a good dad, I think that Connor and Bella really like being with him , what is it that you question about his parenting , only asking, nothing else.
Annie, the big problem with his parenting is the one thing we can’t discuss here, and it is HUGE. I’ve said many times that I hope Bella, at least, will have the will to leave and go live with her mother. I see her heading in that direction, but only time will tell.
BTW, *Katie*, do you believe that Katie got the Broadway part without help from the Cruise name? Assuming the latest story about the latest Broadway gig is true, and there was a closed industry reading, you don’t believe they see Tomkat as a cash cow (as one of my fellow bloggers noted)? Do you honestly believe she would be given plum Broadway roles without the Cruise association and the press she is given because of it?
As for Connor, yes, I believe he got the role because his last name is Connor. He doesn’t show any personality in public so it’s difficult to imagine that he would shine during an audition.
Katie: Conner simply went through the “correct channels” to audition so it would not appear to be nepotism. He followed protocol so everything would look as if it is on the up and up. Who you know in this world is imperative as to how high you climb on the ladder, whether it be a corporate or social ladder. Its just the way this world operates. My family has associated with political figures in our city and thats why I was granted the best college internships and even why I was given interviews for really great jobs. Its n ot a fair way to operate but it is what it is. If you have Will Smith and TC standing outside an audition room door what the heck kind of message does that send to the directors inside?? get real Katie…..your in the business as I am…. we see it all the time.
Jenna, sometimes you are a bit rough with Katie, but I really like your honesty and its true, it ’s not what you know, its who you know that counts, and yes that is the way it goes, even for me , I work 3days and on each day I order a skinny cappuccino, because I’ve become friendly with the people in the coffee shop, I get my coffee brought to me , where everyone else has to go and get it, thats life!
Annie – yes, there are things I dont always agree with about Tom’s parenting issues, though I don’t believe this is the forum to talk about them. Julie has strict rules about “hot-button” issues and I’d like to respect her rules. I hope you can respect them as well.
Jenna, yes – we both work in this industry but perhaps we’ve had different experiences and see things differently. I don’t believe I need to “get real” as I know there is a lot of BS in this industry, I’ve just been lucky enough to not have to put up with a lot of it. I know that showbiz is “all about who you know”, but in essence, so is everything in life. Yet, there still exists the ability to earn things you’ve worked for (regardless who you are). I’ve seen it both from the crew side as well as the celebrity side, so I guess my perspective is different than others; especially having experienced this very issue with my best friend & his son. Which I guess means we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Ok….sounds good!
Tyler, how on earth did you come to the conclusion that Connor has no personality from a few pics that are taken of him, and how do you know that Bella is heading towards going to her mother , gosh sometimes you say the weirdest things.
tom, thats good that you are letting your kids know that you have to work for what you want. susan kuby stassi,
It is a good ethic to let children know that things are not got on a silver platter. Connor seems like a well behaved young lad. I think Tom has done a great job with him. There are children who have gone ahead to eclipse their parents when it comes to acting. Yes the Cruise names gets you one foot in the door, but the rest is up to the child. And that is the way it should be.
Bottom line? His acting skill, the movie going and movie ticket paying public and his continual acting jobs will determine his success. He certainly has great role models around him though. ‘Nuff said.