EXCLUSIVE: Rob Lowe Says Tom Cruise Cost Him Major Movie Roles
Rob Lowe says Tom Cruise cost him major film roles, including 'Top Gun' and 'Jerry Maguire.'
Sept. 27 2026, Published 7:00 a.m. ET
Rob Lowe has revealed he felt like a real outsider after losing tons of promising roles in his youth to his Outsiders costar Tom Cruise, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
The actor, 62, laments that Cruise kept crushing his career dreams, making him miss out on at least two blockbusters that went on to Oscars glory – with Cruise in the leads.
Lowe Recalls Cruise Rivalry
Tom Cruise landed roles in 'Jerry Maguire' and 'Top Gun' that Rob Lowe said he had also read for.
"That dastardly Tom Cruise was always a nemesis," said Lowe. "I remember reading Jerry Maguire... and they were like, 'Tom Cruise.' I also remember reading Top Gun and going, 'Oh, this movie is going to be f--king massive.' They were like, 'Tom Cruise.'"
Lowe continued spilling the tea on his tormentor after saying on his Literally! podcast last year that he and Cruise were "super super super good homies" – until they weren't, after Cruise acted cagey about an upcoming project, which turned out to be The Color of Money.
"We're six hours into hanging out on a Saturday, we're getting a slice of pizza in Westwood... I'm like, 'Hey man, what's gonna go on for Thanksgiving? You gonna be in town?'
"He's like, 'Aw, yeah, no I'm, yeah no I got a thing I'm, I got a thing I'm going to do,' " Lowe said.
"I'm like, 'Well, what is it?' He's like, 'Uhh, you know, it's a thing, it's a thing with Marty,' and I'm like, 'Mar- Mar- Martin, Martin Scorsese?' 'Yeah.'"
Lowe Found His Own Success
Martin Scorsese directed Cruise in 'The Color of Money,' a project Cruise had kept under wraps from Lowe.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Cruise, 64, became one of the biggest action stars on the planet through the Mission: Impossible and Top Gun movies.
But Lowe's career didn't turn out too shabby, either. In addition to The West Wing, he's had plenty of TV success in shows such as Parks and Recreation.
His latest venture is The Musical, a new comedy film in which he plays a middle school principal whose budding romance with a teacher causes another instructor to seek revenge through his drama students.
