Beau Bridges Praises Tom Cruise’s Endurance and Stunt Work

Beau Bridges, Tom Cruise’s co-star from “Jerry McGuire,” recently commended the 63-year-old actor for his continuous improvement over the years. Speaking to People at the “Matlock” For Your Consideration event, Bridges expressed admiration for Cruise’s work ethic and talent. “He’s a wonderful actor and just gets better with age,” said Bridges. “He’s still doing all those crazy stunts.”

Cruise is well-known for his daring stunts across various film franchises. Ethan Hawke also weighed in on Cruise’s impact, expressing mixed feelings about the influence Cruise has had on the industry. “Tom Cruise has totally changed what’s expected for actors,” Hawke shared at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. He noted that the expectation for actors to perform their stunts has increased due to Cruise’s high-risk performances.

Without having participated in superhero movies, Cruise has cemented his status as an action movie icon through franchises like “Mission: Impossible,” “Top Gun,” and “Jack Reacher.” In “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” Cruise performed a particularly dangerous stunt that nearly resulted in serious injury.

Director Christopher McQuarrie shared details about a challenging scene involving a biplane battle between Cruise’s character and a villain. Despite the risks, Cruise insists on performing his stunts. For example, he improvised a seat belt move in the scene, which resulted in significant physical strain.

McQuarrie joked about Cruise’s improvisation, noting the painful outcomes but appreciated the dedication. Despite the intense and risky stunts, Cruise continues to perform at a high level, receiving recognition from peers and audiences alike.