Tom Cruise has kept in touch with Dakota Fanning for 20 years since they starred together in “War of the Worlds” in 2005. Their enduring friendship has become something of a Hollywood tradition.
During a Nov. 6 appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Fanning, 31, revealed that Cruise, now 63, still sends her a special gift every year: a new pair of shoes.
The Gift the Keeps Giving
The story also came up during her Nov. 5 interview on “Today,” part of her media tour for the new psychological thriller “All Her Fault.”
According to People magazine, Cruise’s thoughtful annual gesture has become a signature birthday ritual, reflecting the lasting bond between the two stars.
Cruise also gave Fanning her first cellphone, a Motorola Razr, for her 11th birthday while filming. At the time, the flip phone sold for about $400.
“He sends me beautiful shoes. It’s a tradition that started, I think, on my 12th birthday,” she said on Today. “I do wear the shoes. But I save them all — I’ll keep them forever. It’s such a great memory, and it’s a way that he checks in with me. It’s really generous.”
She did not specify what kind of shoes she receives but mentioned on the Bravo program that they are always expensive and thoughtful, adding that Cruise makes sure to send the correct size.
“I loved shoes, and I had just started fitting into adult-sized shoes, so I was really excited about it. For that birthday, he gave me shoes, and he’s kept the tradition going for 20 years,” she said.
Fanning, who began her professional acting career in 1999, was just 11 years old during the release of “War of the Worlds,” which earned several nominations and won Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards.
Cruise, then 43, played Ray Ferrier, the father of Fanning’s character, Rachel Ferrier. The movie had a $132 million budget and grossed more than $600 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
According to WWD, Fanning also mentioned the ongoing gift tradition during her appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
Cruise, whose net worth is estimated at around $600 million, remains one of Hollywood’s highest-paid and most successful actors.
Fanning’s net worth is estimated at $12 million, but her bigger achievement may be her seamless transition from child star to respected adult actor — a rare Hollywood feat.