# Tom Cruise: Yay or Nay (or gay)?... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 7, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603 "2003-02-07T23:59:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/21 "2003-02-08T06:44:51Z")
I liked “Far and Away” and “Rain Man”. Don’t watch all his movies, can’t really speak for them. But if I like the movie, he does not detract from it. And I am amazed he’s 40. He looks 30. I doubt his looks will fade anytime soon. (Harrison Ford is 60 and can still play a leading man! Middle-aged leading man, but still!) I have no idea whether he’s gay or not. I think that he has some “issues” with sex (I remember Mimi Rodger’s comment too) but that does not tell me much. He may be a bisexual—could go either way, but chooses to be with women for whatever reason. I don’t really know, and wondering about it does not keep me awake at night. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/22 "2003-02-08T06:48:20Z")
Why do people think this man is gay… because he doesn’t act like the stereotype of a hetero man? Did I maybe miss something??? I’m not a fan of his… He and I have 2 things in common, we’re both short, and we’re both dyslexic, (or so he claims to be)… But his acting and the scientology horse-pucky make it difficult for me to tolerate the man. ---
**Author:** ![lilbtagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@lilbtagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilbtagna)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/23 "2003-02-08T08:03:02Z")
I’m not a fan of his, but I loved “Rain Man.” Concerning his sexual orientation…does he strike anyone else as trying too hard to show everyone he’s straight? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/24 "2003-02-08T08:25:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Xavier \* > \*\*Whilst I’m on the topic - why is his **real** surname so weird - something like Thomas Napatha the IV? Origins? \*\* Thomas Cruise Mapother IV’s [pedigree](http://www.ancestry.com/trees/fft/indiv.aspx?t=5&n=I1). “Mapother” is an Irish surname, albeit a rare one. Griffith’s Valuation of 1848-1864 found five households by that name in Ireland, three of those in County Roscommon, where it goes back at least to the 16th century. If you think “Mapother” is an odd surname, the wife of Thomas Cruise Mapother I was Anna Batman. BTW, **whistlepig** , you can call him a “bimbo”; that’s Italian slang for “boy” (“bimba” is “girl”). No need for “himbo”. ---
**Author:** ![EhhMon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@EhhMon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EhhMon)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/25 "2003-02-08T08:55:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sampiro \* > \*\* I know that his first ex-wife, Mimi Rogers, made some odd comments about when they were married to the effect of “he should have been a monk”, but whatever- his bidness. \*\* Actually, being caught in bed with her gay brother was the real reason they got a divorce. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Futile Gesture \* > \*\* > And don’t even start on the whole Scientology thing. But his sexuality is a matter of complete indefference to me. \*\* In Hollywood any famous actor who is married and a scientologist equals gay (Cruise, Travolta etc…), why do you think both Michael Jackson and Nicholas Cage divorced that Presley skank Lisa. Why do you think Mimi and Nicole left Scientology…they got tired of being beards for these gay actors. ---
**Author:** ![First\_Amongst\_Dave\_Stewarts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/59ef9b/32.png) [@First\_Amongst\_Dave\_Stewarts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/First_Amongst_Dave_Stewarts)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/26 "2003-02-08T11:17:13Z")
I’m curious to know how these rumours started. I have heard the John Travolta rumour before (apparently he went to a gay nightclub when he was in Sydney, but since some of the best nightclubs are gay nightclubs, it doesn’t mean much), but wasn’t aware of the Tom Cruise rumour until very recently. Has he confirmed or denied? ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/27 "2003-02-08T11:28:37Z")
What is this shit? Tom Cruise is a short guy with a big nose. But he gets dismissed as the “cocky good looking guy”? I’ve absolutely _hated_ some of the films he’s been in, and I can tell you for sure that I don’t lust after his body, but I’ve never actually been able to find fault with his _acting_. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/28 "2003-02-08T11:45:34Z")
I think that despite his limitations, he works very hard at acting and is sometimes pretty good. As to his sexuality, IMHO, anybody who’s married to Mimi Rogers and isn’t having a lot of sex with her is either gay or sexually dysfunctional…😃 Now, for those who see him as the embodiment of male beauty, I offer [this](http://www.findadeath.com/funstuff/Tom%20cruise/tom.htm). ---
**Author:** ![d\_redguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@d\_redguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d_redguy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/29 "2003-02-08T12:30:05Z")
Holy Flaming Crap, **An Arky**! If they can do that for him, I’m taking my shot. Hollywood, Here I Come! P.S. - Not a tremendous fan, and anyone who would choose L. Ron Hubbard over Nicole (oh my God) Kidman is a damn fool. Period. In regard to sexuality, well, he never propositioned me either. I think his best work to date is [Magnolia](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0175880), but YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/30 "2003-02-08T13:59:03Z")
Actually, Tom did study to be a monk (pre-$cientology), and it’s pretty well established in Hollywood that he is still a (gasp) virgin. Apparently Mimi Rodgers left him for a more sexual relationship. Nicole knew the setup and agreed to adopt a couple of children. What his actual orientation is, I can’t say. ---
**Author:** ![EhhMon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@EhhMon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EhhMon)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/31 "2003-02-08T14:14:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by First Amongst Dave Stewarts \* > \*\*I’m curious to know how these rumours started. > > I have heard the John Travolta rumour before (apparently he went to a gay nightclub when he was in Sydney, but since some of the best nightclubs are gay nightclubs, it doesn’t mean much), but wasn’t aware of the Tom Cruise rumour until very recently. Has he confirmed or denied? \*\* Travolta isn’t a rumor. He has a place here in Carmel Valley, where he and his blond boyfriend comes to all the time, its not a place where he resides, but a getaway. AT&T is going on right now, so John and his boy toy are sure to make an appearance soonl. A young guy maybe in his mid 20’s. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/32 "2003-02-08T16:14:32Z")
I think Tom Cruise is hot. He looked great in Magnolia (the character aside). I think he’s gay. Here’s my reasoning: Scientology believes that homosexuality is a disease that can be “cured.” If Tom was gay, then he’d be trying to work through it by having straight relationships and getting Scientologist-therapy. However, you can’t change what you are, which is why he never gets any of his wives pregnant, even though they are fertile (cf. Mimi Rogers). He’s gay but in deep, Scientology-induced denial. I feel bad for him, but envy him his ability to get someone as beautiful as Nicole Kidman to be his beard. I wonder if he had her fooled, or if she was in on it. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/33 "2003-02-08T16:51:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rubystreak \* > **However, you can’t change what you are, which is why he never gets any of his wives pregnant, even though they are fertile (cf. Mimi Rogers).** There’s another possiblity: He’s sterile. Personally, I don’t care one way or the other. He’s a one dimensional guy, good for some roles, horrible for others. ---
**Author:** ![raisinbread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8491ac/32.png) [@raisinbread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raisinbread)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/34 "2003-02-08T17:02:34Z")
Nicole Kidman and Mimi Rogers left Scientology? Is there a cite for this? Nicole Kidman is scrawny and skanky, plus I heard that Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were both gay and were mutual beards. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/35 "2003-02-08T17:13:05Z")
Jaw clenching is not acting. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/36 "2003-02-08T17:37:10Z")
Nay and Gay. I don’t care for his “acting” or his looks, and I _really_ dislike Scientology. I also think he’s gay and in denial. All of the little clues add up to a big picture of something that’s not quite right. IMHO, the biggest evidence is his vehement denial that he’s gay and his lawsuits against magazines, etc. If he wasn’t gay, I’d think that he’d just deny it and laugh it off. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/37 "2003-02-08T23:41:20Z")
Nicole stated that she’s still more of a Catholic, and couldn’t embrace $cientology. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/38 "2003-02-09T00:51:38Z")
Is Travolta gay and bearded by that hot idiot or is he bi? ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/39 "2003-02-09T13:45:53Z")
nicole kidman had a miscarriage a few months after tom announced he filed for divorce. perhaps he is not sterile and a virgin? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603/40 "2003-02-09T18:02:40Z")
I’ve no information on Tom Cruise’s sexuality, but can’t resist repeating the _Eleven O’Clock Show_’s “Three Things You Didn’t Know About Tom And Nicole”:- _Number one_: He’s _definitely not_ gay. _Number two_: She’s _definitely not_ gay either. _Number three_: This sort of showbiz marriage is technically known as a _Double Barrymore_. As for his acting … if he never made another film, my life would not be exactly blighted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-yay-or-nay-or-gay/153603.md?page=3)