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Ahead of Digger, revisiting Tom Cruise's most iconic roles

Updated On: 28 September, 2026 09:22 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves

Tom Cruise is all set to return to the big screen in a never seen before avatar in Digger, where he plays a wealthy and eccentric oil tycoon. While the film promises another stellar performance from the actor, here's revisiting some of his most iconic roles throughout his career.

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01
Tom Cruise. Pic via Instagram
Tom Cruise. Pic via Instagram
02
As Charlie Babbitt in Rain Man (1988) Tom played selfish, fast-talking luxury car dealer with an autistic savant brother, acting as the emotional anchor of the film.
As Charlie Babbitt in Rain Man (1988) Tom played selfish, fast-talking luxury car dealer with an autistic savant brother, acting as the emotional anchor of the film.
03
Tom played a bald, hairy, expletive-spewing, diet-coke-chugging Hollywood studio executive Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder. He completely disguised himself for an uncredited cameo, stealing the movie from its main cast.
Tom played a bald, hairy, expletive-spewing, diet-coke-chugging Hollywood studio executive Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder. He completely disguised himself for an uncredited cameo, stealing the movie from its main cast.
04
Tom portrayed Frank T.J. Mackey in  Magnolia (1999), appearing as a swaggering, deeply misogynistic motivational speaker. He delivered a manic, explosive performance opposite to his real-life charisma.
Tom portrayed Frank T.J. Mackey in  Magnolia (1999), appearing as a swaggering, deeply misogynistic motivational speaker. He delivered a manic, explosive performance opposite to his real-life charisma.
05
As Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible Franchise Tom Crusie delivered some of the most defining performances and action scene of his career.
As Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible Franchise Tom Crusie delivered some of the most defining performances and action scene of his career.
06
Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell skyrockted Tom to global stardom through the Top Gun franchise. He played a cocky, reckless, yet brilliantly talented naval aviator.
Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell skyrockted Tom to global stardom through the Top Gun franchise. He played a cocky, reckless, yet brilliantly talented naval aviator.
07
As the titular character in Jerry Maguire (1996), Cruise appeared as a smooth-talking sports agent who suffers a sudden crisis of conscience.
As the titular character in Jerry Maguire (1996), Cruise appeared as a smooth-talking sports agent who suffers a sudden crisis of conscience.
08
Joel Goodsen from Risky Business (1983) turned out to be one of his breakout roles. He played a high schooler who lets loose when his parents go away for the weekend.
Joel Goodsen from Risky Business (1983) turned out to be one of his breakout roles. He played a high schooler who lets loose when his parents go away for the weekend.
09
Cruise played Lt. Daniel Kaffee, an unmotivated military lawyer tasked with defending two Marines accused of murder, in A Few Good Men (1992).
Cruise played Lt. Daniel Kaffee, an unmotivated military lawyer tasked with defending two Marines accused of murder, in A Few Good Men (1992).
10
Tom played a cold, efficient, and ruthless silver-haired contract killer, Vincent in Collateral (2004), stunning the audience as a terrifying, sociopathic villain.
Tom played a cold, efficient, and ruthless silver-haired contract killer, Vincent in Collateral (2004), stunning the audience as a terrifying, sociopathic villain. 
11
Tom shattered his golden boy image by playing  Ron Kovic, a real-life patriotic soldier who is paralyzed in the Vietnam War and becomes an anti-war activist in Born on the Fourth of July (1989).
Tom shattered his golden boy image by playing  Ron Kovic, a real-life patriotic soldier who is paralyzed in the Vietnam War and becomes an anti-war activist in Born on the Fourth of July (1989).

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