Tom Cruise witnessed a hit-and-run accident involving a young woman (aspiring actress Heloisa Vinhas). He pulled over, called for medical help, accompanied her to the hospital, and when he learned she wasn’t insured, he paid her medical bills (about $7,000).
During a vacation with his then-wife Nicole Kidman, Cruise spotted a sailboat on fire. He sent his yacht’s small boat (skiff) to rescue the people aboard (the family plus crew). Soon after, the sailboat sank.
Between scenes (on a film set), Tom Cruise noticed Elisabeth Shue running toward a spinning helicopter tail rotor (dangerous). He lunged, grabbed her legs, pulled her away to safety.
During the shooting of Mission: Impossible 7, after many production challenges (pandemic etc.), Cruise had 300 cakes flown from his favorite bakery in Los Angeles to share with the London-based crew for the holidays.
Tom Cruise participated in a screening in Knoxville, Tennessee (an advance showing of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back) which raised $600,000 for the Children’s Charity of Eastern Tennessee (serving at-risk children).
Tom Cruise is a founding board member for the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project (HELP), which helps students learn to read.
He received the Excellence in Mentoring Award from the National Mentoring Partnership for his work with literacy and mentoring.
Co-star Bill Hader once said that Tom helped him during a panic attack, and helped him finish work early so he could get home to his family.
During a promotional event in Seoul, a fan accidentally stepped on Tom’s shoe. He responded graciously and said it was his “pleasure,” showed good humor, and generally had warm interactions with fans, taking selfies and treating them kindly.
To help Vanessa Kirby and others feeling tired during filming Mission: Impossible, Cruise has gifted them things to boost morale. For example, sky-diving lessons were gifted as a wrap (end of making the movie) gift to an actor, enabling them to get their license and even jump together.
Simon Pegg has said Tom Cruise often reflects appreciation back to the cast and crew, making people feel valued.
At a Mission: Impossible 7 premiere, Cruise had a gentle, attentive moment with a fan who shared a story about how her parents had also been huge fans of his. He listened closely, squeezed her hand gently, checked back to make sure the photo was good.
In another viral moment, while signing autographs and interacting with fans, when one fan said “Thank you. I love you,” Cruise responded “I love you too,” addressed her by name, and added, “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
Hayley Atwell, for example, has spoken highly of Tom’s professionalism and how he makes everyone around him feel safe and appreciated. In one instance, noticing she looked exhausted, he brought her a box of chocolate out of the blue.
