The legendary actress who hated Tom Cruise: “He’s not a great actor, he’s vulgar and a maniac”
Lauren Bacall didn’t hold back when asked about the ‘Mission: Impossible’ star, calling his behavior “a kind of sickness.”
Lauren Bacall, one of the most iconic actresses of Hollywood’s golden age, was never one to mince words. Known for her breakout role opposite Humphrey Bogart in ‘To Have and Have Not’ (1944), Bacall went on to star in classics like ‘The Big Sleep’, ‘Dark Passage’, and ‘Key Largo’. But even in her later years, she remained outspoken, especially when it came to modern Hollywood and its biggest stars.
In a 2008 interview with Elle, Bacall made headlines for her scathing remarks about Tom Cruise, whom she met through Nicole Kidman during the filming of ‘Dogville’ (2003). Kidman, still reeling from her divorce with Cruise, reportedly confided in Bacall, who didn’t hesitate to share her thoughts.
“Tom had taken off for Penélope Cruz or some goddamn thing, one of his more ridiculous moves,” Bacall told Elle. “Tom Cruise is a maniac. I can’t understand the way he conducts his life”.
Bacall’s criticism didn’t stop there
In an earlier interview with Time, Bacall doubled down:
“He’s not a great actor or any kind of legend. His behavior is shocking, inappropriate, and vulgar. It’s unacceptable to use your private life to sell something commercially. I think it’s a kind of sickness”.
Her comments were part of a broader critique of celebrity culture and the way personal lives are used as marketing tools, something Bacall, a product of old Hollywood, found deeply troubling.
Where to stream Lauren Bacall’s greatest films
For those curious to revisit Bacall’s legendary career, several of her most acclaimed films are available on major platforms:
- ‘To Have and Have Not’ — Amazon Prime Video
- ‘The Big Sleep’ — Max
- ‘Key Largo’ — Apple TV
- ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ — Paramount+
- ‘Misery’ — Amazon Prime Video
- ‘Dogville’ — Amazon Prime Video
Her legacy remains untouched, and her candor, unforgettable.
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