Tom Cruise Once Stepped In to Rescue a Family from a Burning Yacht

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As a movie fan, I’ve always been amazed by Tom Cruise‘s dedication to action films – he really does do a lot of his own stunts! I recently heard him talking with Graham Norton, and it turns out he was a bit of an adrenaline junkie even as a kid. He used to do flips off the roof into the snow and race bikes over crazy gaps! That passion just grew as he got older, and he developed a love for things like fast cars, motorcycles, hiking, and climbing. Even now, in his 60s, he still insists on doing as many of his own stunts as possible – you see it in the latest Mission: Impossible movie. He says he wants to fully commit, physically and emotionally, to every role, and all that training allows filmmakers to get incredible camera angles they wouldn’t be able to achieve otherwise. It really makes a difference in how you experience his films!

Tom Cruise’s determined and proactive nature extends beyond his work on film sets. In 1996, while vacationing with Nicole Kidman and their children on the yacht Talitha, he spotted a nearby boat on fire and sinking. Without hesitation, Cruise launched a smaller boat to rescue those on board, successfully saving French media executive Jacques Lejeune and his family. He provided them shelter on his yacht until a patrol boat arrived to bring them safely back to shore.

Following his courageous rescue, Cruise’s publicist noted he simply did what anyone with good character would do, famously saying they’d want him around if they ever needed help.

The yacht involved, the Talitha, also has a fascinating past. Originally built in 1929, it was used as a military vessel during World War II before being converted into a luxury yacht for celebrities and other prominent individuals. As of February, Cruise continues to be incredibly productive, recently finishing filming a new project with acclaimed director Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

The film, called Digger, is a dark comedy scheduled for release on October 2nd. Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a powerful man desperately trying to prove he’s a hero before a catastrophe he caused destroys everything. The movie also stars Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, and John Goodman.

In addition to his recent collaboration with director Iñárritu, Tom Cruise continues to be a key player in several popular film series. After the anticipated release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning in May 2025, rumors suggest he’ll team up again with Christopher McQuarrie for a World War II thriller called Broadsword.

Fans are also excited about Edge of Tomorrow 2, which is reportedly being developed again as part of his new agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. Although his plan to film a movie in space with NASA is currently paused, Cruise remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of filmmaking.

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2026-02-25 18:45