Thomas Cruise Mapother the fourth turns 50 today.  Tom Cruise was born in Syracuse and first burst onto the movie scene in 1981 with a small role in 'Endless Love.'  He hasn't stopped working since.  Cruise has been nominated for an Academy Award three times and remains one of Hollywood's most bankable stars.  He's also one of Hollywood's most controversial figures and is back in the media spotlight with his pending divorce from Katie Holmes.

In honor of Tom's 50th birthday, we're taking a look at his best movie roles.

Risky Business - 1983

Who cares if the movie was any good.  The ladies got to watch Tom Cruise in his tighty whities dancing.

Top Gun - 1986

Not only is Tom still looking fine in the movie 'Top Gun,' but it also stars a sexy Val Kilmer as his arch rival.  We get to hear Cruise sing 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling' in the bar scene and we get to see him and Kilmer shirtless in the volleyball scene.

Cocktail - 1986

I wonder how long it took Tom Cruise to learn how to throw those bottles around the bar.  He plays a bartender with quick moves; with the liquor and the women.   The soundtrack was just as entertaining as the movie itself despite the fact Cruise was nominated for a Razzie Award for worst actor.

Rain Main - 1988

'Wapner's on a eight.'  Tom Cruise may have starred in this great movie, but it was Dustin Hoffman who stole the show, playing Cruise's autistic brother.  If you've never seen this movie, its worth your time.

Born on the Fourth of July

This is the biography of Ron Kovic. Cruise plays the soldier who was paralyzed in the Vietnam war. He becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for. Cruise won a golden globe for his role and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Days of Thunder - 1990

Even if you're not a NASCAR or car racing fan, you'll enjoy this movie.  Cruise plays Cole Trickle, a race car driver who falls in love with his doctor, who happened to be played by his then wife, Nicole Kidman.  Its funny and serious at the same time.

A Few Good Men - 1992

'You Can't Handle the Truth.'  A great movie with a great cast.  In addition to Cruise who plays an attorney, the film also stars Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon.

Jerry McGuire - 1996

The movie that inspired the Kenny Chesney song 'You Had Me From Hello' and the infamous line 'show me the money.'  Cruise plays a sports agent who gets fired and has only one athlete left to represent, a football player portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr. He won a Golden Globe for his role and received his second Academy Award nomination.

Mission Impossible - 1996

The first of 4 Mission Impossible movies came out with Tom Cruise in 1996.  He plays an American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, who must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.

What's your favorite Tom Cruise movie?

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