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Portrait of Tom Cruise

Photo: Kevin Paul · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United States · Nationality American — Cinema / celebrity / Scientology / mental health

Tom Cruise

Film, television and entertainment

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “2012–2015: Allegations that Scientology arranged or influenced his romantic relationships” and “2012–2013: Divorce from Katie Holmes and acknowledgement in deposition of Scientology's role”.

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Profile No. 2164 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Tom Cruise

Photo: Kevin Paul · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
7Documented controversies
11Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2012–2015

2012–2015: Allegations that Scientology arranged or influenced his romantic relationships

No legal proceedings

Investigations and the documentary Going Clear alleged that Scientology officials participated in selecting or managing potential partners for Cruise, notably involving Nazanin Boniadi, and that the organisation granted him preferential treatment.

State of the evidence
Allegations

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianScientology lawyer calls Vanity Fair 'bigoted' over Tom Cruise articlePressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianGoing Clear: the film Scientologists don’t want you to seePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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02

2012–2013

2012–2013: Divorce from Katie Holmes and acknowledgement in deposition of Scientology's role

Civil / administrative proceedings

In a deposition connected with his lawsuit against magazines accusing him of abandoning his daughter Suri, Cruise acknowledged that Scientology was among the reasons given for his separation from Katie Holmes and that she wanted to protect Suri from the religion.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Spouse

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ABC NewsTom Cruise Says Scientology Played a Role in Divorce From Katie HolmesPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianTom Cruise sues magazines for $50m over claims he abandoned SuriPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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03

January 2008

2008: Leaked internal video in which Cruise calls Scientologists "authorities on the mind"

Civil / administrative proceedings

A video from a 2004 Scientology ceremony showed Cruise declaring, among other things, that Scientologists were authorities on the mind, drugs and criminal rehabilitation. Its publication triggered mockery, criticism and an online removal battle.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ABC AustraliaScientologists are authorities on the mind: CruisePressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Los Angeles TimesScientology feud with critics takes to InternetPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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04

August 2006

2006: Split with Paramount, Sumner Redstone blaming losses on public behaviour and proselytising

No legal proceedings

Paramount ended its 14-year relationship with Cruise/Wagner. Sumner Redstone publicly cited Cruise's behaviour, Scientology proselytising and the controversies of 2005, claiming they had damaged Mission: Impossible III revenues.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ForbesTop Gun Shot DownPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    CBS NewsTom Cruise 'Turned Off All Women'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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05

May 2005

2005: Criticism of Brooke Shields over treatment for postnatal depression

No legal proceedings

Cruise criticised Brooke Shields for taking antidepressants for postnatal depression, in line with Scientology's opposition to psychiatry. The remarks prompted strong reactions from medical professionals and the media.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Wikipedia summary of sourced controversyTom CruiseSecondary sourceMedium reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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06

June 2005

2005: Confrontation with Matt Lauer on Today over psychiatry and Ritalin

No legal proceedings

In an NBC interview, Cruise described psychiatry as pseudoscience, disputed the notion of chemical imbalance and accused Matt Lauer of being "glib" when discussing the potential benefits of psychiatric medication.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Los Angeles Times / Associated PressCruise spars with Lauer on 'Today'PressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Washington PostA Couch Tom Cruise Won't Jump OnPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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07

May 2005

2005: Oprah sofa episode and media frenzy over relationship with Katie Holmes

No legal proceedings

Cruise jumped on Oprah Winfrey's sofa while proclaiming his love for Katie Holmes. The episode became a symbol of the loss of control over his public image and was widely parodied.

State of the evidence
Reported by the press
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ForbesTop Gun Shot DownPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (5)
  1. David Miscavige1 documented reference
  2. Leah Remini1 documented reference
  3. Matt Lauer1 documented reference
  4. Nicole Kidman1 documented reference
  5. Penélope Cruz1 documented reference

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