Tom Cruise is one of the most famous men on the planet. But why? Mostly known for his acting work, Cruise has been nominated for three Academy Awards and has won three Golden Globes. Beginning his career at just nineteen years old, Cruise has starred in some of the most famous films of all time. From Cocktail, Rain Man, Jerry Maguire, Vanilla Sky and Tropic Thunder to name but a few, Cruise is also famed for his role as IMF agent, Ethan Hunt in the successful film series, Mission: Impossible. One of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood and the handsome looks of the perfect leading man, Cruise certainly has it all. Or does he?

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Despite such a roaring success on the film circuit, Cruise's personal life is quite the talking point. Married three times, each marriage has been hit with speculation with regards to his private life. And, if that wasn't enough, Cruise is also an outspoken advocate for the Church of Scientology, a fact that often gets him into trouble. In addition to this, Cruise is often sometimes severely private, yet on other occasions extremely open, especially when discussing his romantic life. However, there are many other factors in the actors life that can also come across as strange or disturbing, making him the biggest mystery on the Hollywood circuit.

Ever the enigma, Tom Cruise will always be a mystery to the media and to the world. So, to dig a little deeper, here are 15 reasons why Tom Cruise is cray cray (apart from the OBVIOUS).

Scientology "Elders" Auditioned Wives For Him

In the early nineties it was reported that Tom Cruise had auditioned a number of women with the intention that they would become the future Mrs Cruise. Scientology "elders", who are Scientologists with high rankings, were accused of deciding who and where Cruise should marry.

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To back it up, several women have spoken out with regards to the claims. One of them being American actress, Nazanin Boniadi, who was trialled as a girlfriend for a few months. Boniadi claimed that the relationship broke down when Cruise started having temper tantrums and showed signs of aggression. Subsequently, Boniadi was punished and reportedly, "had to dig ditches at midnight and scrub floor tiles". But she wasn't the only one, with it reported that Cruise had a whole line of women before ex wife Katie Holmes was finally selected.

He Made Katie Holmes Stay Silent

Silent birth is a birthing procedure also known as "quiet birth or noiseless birth". A method that has been advised by Scientology creator and once leader, L.Ron Hubbard, the procedure is now practised heavily within the Scientology community.

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In fact, the strategy is so well respected that Scientologists have openly advocated the idea claiming that, "everyone attending a birth should refrain from spoken words as much as possible" and "... chatty doctors and nurses, shouts to 'PUSH, PUSH' and loud or laughing remarks to 'encourage' are avoided". But why? The Scientology doctrine states that this is because "any words spoken are recorded in the reactive mind and can have a negative effect on the mother and the child." Obviously believing this to be true, Cruise persuaded ex wife Katie Holmes to do the same with their daughter, Suri, said to be born in complete silence.

He Imposed Post Divorce Rules

Katie Holmes was once an up and coming actress and was a regular on the dating scene. However, once she met Tom Cruise everything changed, especially after they had divorced. Going underground for a number of years, Holmes seemingly disappeared, even when it was heavily rumoured that she had begun to date actor Jamie Foxx.

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However, the pair refused to confirm their relationship, leading to speculation on why not. Much has been reported with regards to the couples divorce, especially as the actress has never spoken publicly about what happened. Nevertheless, rumours surfaced that Cruise had imposed a five year ban on Holmes speaking to the press, dating anybody else or indeed letting their daughter meet anyone else. Holmes agreed and it wasn't until five years later that pictures surfaced of her and Foxx taking a romantic walk on the beach. Coincidence?

He Once Went Nuts Over Cookie Dough

Ex Scientologist and B list celebrity Leah Remini has had a lot to say with regards to Cruise's role within the church. A once established member of the group, Remini often claims to have spent time socializing with the Hollywood juggernaut that is Tom Cruise.

However, it was one particular incident that hit the headlines when Remini claimed that Cruise had once lost the plot over some missing cookie dough. That's right, in her new memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, Remini states that one afternoon Cruise wanted to make cookies but got so mad when he couldn't find the cookie dough. She goes on to state that Cruise reprimanded those involved while she and her husband watched on in shock and terror.

He's Gets Angry Over The Smallest Things

To the outside world Tom Cruise is the perfect Hollywood leading man. Famed for his polished appearance, gleaming white smile and positive attitude, Cruise is known for his "Mr Nice Guy" persona. However, rumoured to be the complete opposite, we constantly hear things about his anger issues.

From freaking out over missing cookie dough to shouting in the face of crew members, Cruise is a far cry from the "Mr Nice Guy" he so desperately wants to be. In fact, ex Scientologist, actress Leah Remini claimed that Cruise was a "bad person" stating, "There is a public persona of the guy who looks at you directly in the eye and shakes your hand and hugs you and is an attentive person to you and there's the person behind the mask who is a completely different person". Ouch.

He Turned His Kids Against Nicole Kidman

Back in the 90s, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were Hollywood's IT couple. Married for a lengthy eleven years, which is long for Hollywood, the couple adopted two children, Isabella and Connor. However, when the couple divorced Isabella and Connor decided to go and live with Cruise, much to the disappointment of Kidman.

Isabella and Connor eventually became dedicated Scientologists, with Cruise actively encouraging them to practise the religion. Kidman, who stayed away from Scientology, stated that her children were free to practice whatever religion they wanted and that she would support their decision. Sadly, Cruise wasn't as generous towards Kidman and refused visits to their children. Eventually labelled a suppressive person or a non believer by the Church of Scientology, the kids were encouraged not to see or be with Kidman ever again.

He Thinks Psychiatry Should Be Outlawed

Since the founding of Scientology in 1954, creator L. Ron Hubbard has always been strongly against psychiatry. Insisting that psychiatry is unhelpful, the church claims that the practice was at the source of all humanities problems. An avid supporter of such beliefs, Cruise has been highly vocal with regards to psychiatry and medication.

Extremely against the concept, Cruise famously expressed his concerns while appearing on the Today Show with host Matt Lauer in 2005. Cruise, who had earlier put down actress Brooke Shields for taking medication to deal with postpartum depression, began subjecting Lauer to a condescending rant on the history of prescription drugs. Shields, who was watching at the time, later stated, "Tom should stick to saving the world from aliens and let women who are experiencing postpartum depression decide what treatment options are best for them".

He Sues A Lot Of People

Like most Hollywood stars, Tom Cruise is often at the end of speculation when it comes to his personal life and private relationships. Dogged by rumours with regards to his preferences, Cruise has been openly angry at the allegations. In fact, some might say too defensive, with Cruise known for taking several people to court over the accusations. You know what they say Tom? The lady doth protest too much.

However, that's not to say that the rumours are true, especially as the Hollywood media are known for inventing things. Nevertheless, some people just won't give up, with some attributing his connection to Scientology as a definite sign that he is lying about something. That's right, with it suggested that celebrities join the church in order to cure themselves, Cruise and fellow Scientologists John Travolta have been dogged by rumours ever since.

He Tried To Recruit Members To Scientology 

Ex Scientologist Leah Remini has had a lot to say since she escaped the clutches of the church, especially when it comes to Mr Tom Cruise himself. In fact, Remini goes as far as claiming that Cruise was a known recruiter, who used his charm and likeability to try and recruit a number of Hollywood celebrities. That's right, said to have tried to recruit Jennifer Lopez and her then husband Marc Anthony at his own wedding, Remini stated Cruise was on a mission for new members and would do anything to achieve it.

But they weren't the only ones chosen by Cruise, with it rumoured that he had also tried to recruit actor and comedian Russel Brand while working on a film together. And if that wasn't enough, Alec Baldwin, Scarlett Johansson and Margot Robbie have also been highlighted as potential new recruits.

He Exiled His 14 Year Old Niece 

As the face of Scientology, Tom Cruise has an image to uphold, a role he takes extremely seriously. In fact, ex Scientology member, Nick Lister, recently spilled a tell all interview with regards to Cruise's extreme controlling behaviour and claimed that Cruise had once banished his niece, Jamie, for kissing another boy.

Lister stated, "she made out with a boy on Tom Cruise’s property, just made out, it was caught by the cameras. Security all Scientologists — if you don’t believe me, ask Katie Holmes — they reported to Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise decides it’s unbecoming…for a Scientologist in his family to do such a thing and he kept her from family functions". However, the facts have never been proven, with the niece in question refusing to be interviewed.

He Is Best Friends With David Miscavige

If you've heard of Scientology, you've heard of David Miscavige. Notorious and renowned leader of the Church, Miscavige has been the source of debate for many years. Originally a deputy to church founder, L.Ron Hubbard, Miscavige quickly rose to the top. Since acquiring leadership, a number of serious allegations have been made against him, especially with regards to his wife, Michelle Miscavige.

Not seen since 2007, Michelle was reported missing by former Scientologist Leah Remini in 2013. However, it was then reported that the LAPD had contacted Michelle with the case then eventually dropped. And, if that wasn't bad enough, Cruise and Miscavige are the best of friends and are said to be with each other on a number of occasions.

Katie Holmes Had A Chaperone 

These days, Katie Holmes does her best to distance herself from her time with Cruise. However, when they were married Holmes was happy to give into his demands. In fact, Holmes was so dedicated to Cruise that she even allowed a chaperone to follow her wherever she went.

Jessica Rodriguez, a fellow member of the church of Scientology, was often seen chaperoning Holmes on a daily basis. However, although the pair were said to be friends, a number of sources declared otherwise and claimed that Rodriguez had been employed by Cruise to keep an eye on his wife and help with her conversion to Scientology. That's right, said to have changed into an entirely different person upon meeting Cruise, Holmes reportedly dropped her manager and turned down a number of roles at the request of Cruise himself.

Scientology Church Members Work For Him

Tom Cruise certainly likes to keep family around him, especially when it comes to building his house. That's right, reported to have hired a number of church members to work on household projects, Cruise was also said to have hired members of the church to work as his household staff.

In fact, former Scientologist Amy Scobee claimed that Cruise only allowed Scientologists into his house and that she, "had to hire an executive housekeeper, a maid, a cook, who all had to be Scientologists". However, things got dark when Scobee also revealed that she would go to his house and see that "there were people cleaning his house, folding his laundry, doing things for Tom personally" all free of charge. Angered at the comments, the church responded by calling Scobee's statements as a "work of fiction".

He Thinks He Is Going To Save The World From Aliens

Known for his macho roles on screen, Tom Cruise is the ultimate leading man. From Mission Impossible to saving the world from Aliens, Cruise is also famed for doing his own stunts no matter how dangerous they may be. In reality Cruise is just an average American who was lucky enough to get his big break.

However, Cruise's ongoing association with Scientology has reportedly made him believe his own hype, with church members said to constantly compliment and praise the action star. Adding fuel to the fire, Cruise was then told that in the hierarchy of Scientology, he was Number three, behind only the founder, the late L. Ron Hubbard and Number 2, David Miscavige. Now, with a high status and a huge role in the church, Cruise is fully behind the group's purpose of protecting humanity from aliens who plan to destroy the planet.

The Jumping On The Couch Skit Was All Fake

One of the Internet's most famous videos, the Tom Cruise jumping on the couch skit will certainly go down in history. That's right, while appearing on Oprah to plug new movie, War of the Worlds, Cruise suddenly embarked on one of the strangest performances ever by jumping up and down on Oprah's couch all while declaring his love for then fiance Katie Holmes.

The whole thing was supposedly fake, with Cruise instead trying to deter the media from his life as a Scientologist. However, the ruse failed, with the whole skit only cementing the idea that Holmes and Cruise were nothing more than a showmance. Nevertheless, the couple married (later divorcing) and continued in their routine of heavy PDA and love and affection for the cameras.

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