80s

7 Movies You Totally Forgot Tom Cruise Was In Before He Was Famous

By Sandra |

You may think of him as the man behind Mission Impossible, Jack Reacher or Jerry Maguire, but even as an A-list actor, Tom Cruise had to start somewhere in Hollywood.

As a fresh-faced 19-year-old boy, he first appeared on screen with a high pitch squeaky voice that you wouldn't expect from the refined actor.

Anyone who grew up watching 80's movies will appreciate the familiar roles of Tom Cruise, but can you recall all 7 of his films before he became a household name?

Let's relive the 80's with these flicks.

Endless Love- 1981

Tom Cruise has his first scene on the silver screen and it was exactly what you'd expect from the 80's. Wearing nothing more than short jean shorts, Tom Cruise talks in a voice you'd never recognize him for today. Complete with a goofy high-pitched giggle, you can't imagine him delivering this kind of performance today. Well, I guess they all had to start somewhere.

Taps- 1981

In the same year as his Endless Love cameo, Cruise landed a much more substantial role in Taps. In his first appearance of many in uniform, he plays a young man being taught militaristic ideals. Cruise's character is a hothead, but he is able to deliver an interesting portrayal of the one-dimensional character. This was our first real look into the future that Cruise would have in film.

Outsiders- 1983

Alongside a stunning cast for the 80's Cruise finds himself in an epic story about a gang of underprivileged kids who are in a rivalry with another gang which spirals out of control. While Cruise takes a less central role in this movie, we can start to see the star power the actor holds and his ability to become a heartthrob of the decade.

Losin' It- 1983

Often overlooked, Losin' It is a teen comedy about a bunch of high school kids heading to Tijuana for an night of debauchery hoping to lose their virginity. This movie is notable because it was the first time that Cruise was ever in a leading role accompany a group of two other friends for a wild ride.

This movie is chock-full of 80's goodness.

The familiar breakout dance is coming, so you will want to be ready for the next role!

Risky Business- 1983

Arguably his breakout role before Top Gun shot him into superstardom, Risky Business is the third of four movies Cruise took on in 1983.

The story follows a privileged Princeton-bound teen who gets in trouble while his parents are away. Cruise really jumps into the role as he slides into the living room wearing sport socks and a button down pink shirt, using a candle holder as a mic. Cruise delivers a confident performance and helps lead into some of his amazing work including 1986's Top Gun.

All The Right Moves- 1983

Rounding out 1983, Cruise finished out the year with high school sports movie. With dreams bigger than the small town he grew up in, he had a future to go to college and move away. Playing the leading role, the plot centers around horrible misunderstandings and mistakes that we all faced in high school.

It was clear that after 1983, Tom Cruise was going to be a name not quickly forgotten.

Legend- 1985

After a busy year in 1983, Cruise didn't appear in any films in 1984, but came out with Legend in 1985. This classic Ridley Scott film is a dark fairy tale that takes you on an adventure through fables and traditions of ancient times. The talented young actor was able to show he can perform in a role that wasn't a teenage drama and it really opened up his acting possibilities in the years to come.

Top Gun- 1986

We finish off our list with the movie that we all remember. By the time Top Gun Tom Cruise had become a household name. Playing Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, Cruise launches us into a story that has us flying high throughout the entire film.

We couldn't complete a list about Tom Cruise without mentioning this amazing movie, because, let's be honest, even over 30 years later, this movie still holds up- with a soundtrack we can't get sick of.

Source: IndieWire

More Throwbacks

80s

Gaming in the 80's

By Jordan N
For those that experienced the 80’s, its hard to forget the fond memories of being able to wear bright neon clothes, making mix tapes and working out with Jane Fonda. And for those born after this golden decade, it’s clear to see that the 80’s is still having an impact on future generations, with today’s teens still listening to Bon Jovi whilst fashion stores such as Asos and Topshop are bringing back 80’s fashion style. However, one aspect of the 80’s that was most iconic was the culture of gaming. With the likes of

80s

Die Hard's Reginald VelJohnson Reveals How Al Powell Got Him Cast On Family Matters

By Tanya
Watching Die Hard is like watching a little piece of history. It truly has remained one of the greatest movies of all time no matter how much time passes. Maybe we didn't know how special it was when we first saw it, but as the decades go on, it has become clear that it's a true classic that is basically required viewing for every single person. Everyone obviously thinks of Bruce Willis when they think about Die Hard, which makes sense because he embodies John McClane in a way that makes him feel real, but he's not the only iconic

80s

10 Movies That Completely Terrified You As A Kid, And Probably Still Do

By Tanya
I know there were a lot of classic horror movies that came out when we were young, but you know what else there were? A whole bunch of movies disguised as these feel-good children's movies or cartoons that were safe for kids that ended up scarring us for life. A lot of movies out there that had these sequences in them that haunted our nightmares, crossing our minds when we were trying to go to bed. Then there were others that gave us a grim realistic view of the mortality of us all, and let me tell you, we weren't

80s

10 Weebles Playsets From Our Childhoods We Loved To Watch Wobble

By Tanya
There were always toys when you were a kid that seemed to be more important than the rest. There were some that you couldn't go to bed without, there were others that you spent months begging your parents for, and then there were a few that were just staples, readily available where ever you went. No matter which friends house you were at or doctor's office waiting room you were in, there were some that just seemed to be everywhere. Weebles were one of the toys you would be mostly likely to find anywhere that toys were set up for

80s

'Overboard' May Be The Best Rom-Com Of All Time, But We've Still Got Questions

By Tanya
If you had to pick one Hollywood couple whose love you believed in stronger than any others, chances are you're going to say Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. The two first met on the set of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band in 1968, but Russell was too young for Hawn to be interested in him (he was only 16 at the time, she was 21). They met again in 1984 on the set of Swing Shift, and this time they hit it off. Both were divorced, both had children, and shortly after they reunited they fell in

70s

James Karen, Legendary Actor Known For 'Poltergeist' And So Much More, Dead At 94

By Devin
You probably don't know his name, but you definitely know James Karen's face. The prolific character actor, best known for his role as the unscrupulous developer Mr. Teague in 1982's Poltergeist, passed away in his Los Angeles home on Tuesday at the age of 94.MGM/UA Entertainment Co.Over the course of his seven-decade career, Karen racked up over 200 acting credits across movies, television, and even video games. If you watch just about any of the most popular television shows from the 1970s, 80s, or 90s, you're guaranteed to see him pop up sooner or later. Born Jacob