Tom Cruise Reflects on Learning from Jack Nicholson: “He’s Very Generous, an Actor’s Actor”
Tom Cruise Reflects on Learning from Jack Nicholson: “He’s Very Generous, an Actor’s Actor”
At a recent event held at the British Film Institute in London on May 11, 2025, Tom Cruise took a moment to reflect on his experience working alongside Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson in the 1992 courtroom thriller A Few Good Men. The encounter proved to be a pivotal learning experience for Cruise, who praised Nicholson’s craft and generosity both on and off camera.
Cruise recalled the buzz surrounding their iconic courtroom scene, describing how the set was packed with onlookers eager to witness the intense exchange between the two actors. “I remember the Nicholson scene when we were in the courtroom, suddenly I’m looking around and the rafters were filled,” Cruise said. “We were making movies in LA at that point, and people were coming in just to see the scene… People were kind of surrounding and filling the rafters just to watch Nicholson and I go at it. It was magnificent to watch him and see what a wordsmith he is, like a great crooner.”
Highlighting Nicholson’s approach to acting, Cruise spoke about the veteran’s mastery of dialogue and presence. “To see him carve up the dialogue and make it his own, find his own stillness… He’s very generous, an actor’s actor,” Cruise told interviewer Edith Bowman, as reported by The Independent. He went on to share how Nicholson supported him during filming, often encouraging him with words like, “That was a good take Tommy, nice work Tommy.” This off-camera mentorship left a lasting impression on Cruise, who described Nicholson as “really lovely” and deeply passionate about his craft.
Cruise also mentioned another Hollywood great, Paul Newman, with whom he worked on the 1986 film The Color of Money. He praised both Newman and Nicholson for their understanding of the camera lens, a skill he noted is rarely taught in film school. “All of them understood the lens,” Cruise said, comparing it to an actor’s relationship with the stage. He emphasized Nicholson’s ability to harness stillness and channel the power of his character, describing how Nicholson’s energy would build and intensify throughout their scenes, “throwing lasers as the film went on.”
As Cruise prepares for the release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning on May 21, 2025, his reflections on Nicholson serve as a reminder of the importance of mentorship, craft, and generosity in the world of acting. For Cruise, learning from the greats remains a cornerstone of his own enduring success.
