Tom Cruise Reveals How a Pushy Sister and a Chance Meeting with Dustin Hoffman Led to ‘Rain Man’

May 12, 2025: Tom Cruise credits his sister, Cass, for one of the most pivotal roles of his career—his part in the Oscar-winning film Rain Man. Speaking at the BFI in London on Sunday, the Hollywood icon shared a remarkable story from 1984 about how an unexpected encounter with Dustin Hoffman at a New York City restaurant changed his life.

At the time, Cruise had just completed filming Legend with Ridley Scott and was visiting Cass in New York. During a dinner outing, Cass spotted Hoffman, who was then starring in Death of a Salesman, and urged her brother to go introduce himself.

“She said, ‘There’s Dustin Hoffman.’ And I said, ‘I’m not going to say hello.’ She kept pushing and finally said, ‘If you don’t, I’ll go over and tell him who you are,’” Cruise recalled with a laugh. Despite his reluctance, Cruise finally approached the legendary actor. “I said, ‘Excuse me, Mr. Hoffman, I’m sorry…’ And he went, ‘Cruise!’”

To Cruise’s surprise, Hoffman not only recognized him but also offered tickets to his show and invited them backstage. “As I was leaving, he said, ‘I want to make a movie with you.’ I said, ‘That would be nice, sir.’ And basically a year later, he sent Rain Man,” Cruise said.

The resulting film, Rain Man (1988), directed by Barry Levinson, became a landmark in cinema history, winning four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Hoffman, and Best Original Screenplay. Cruise’s portrayal of Charlie Babbitt alongside Hoffman’s iconic performance as Raymond remains one of his most celebrated roles.

Cruise shared the story during his visit to London where he is being awarded the prestigious BFI Fellowship—the British Film Institute’s highest honor—at the BFI Chair’s Dinner. Reflecting on the recognition, Cruise expressed deep gratitude: “I am truly honored by this acknowledgement. I’ve been making films in the U.K. for over 40 years and have no plans to stop.”

He also praised the U.K. film industry, calling it home to “incredibly talented professionals — actors, directors, writers, and crews, as well as some of the most stunning locations in the world.”

Cruise, who recently wrapped filming on Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s upcoming film and the latest Mission: Impossible installment The Final Reckoning in the U.K., will next appear at the Cannes Film Festival for its world premiere on Wednesday.

Over his career, Cruise has collaborated on numerous U.K.-based productions, including Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, Neil Jordan’s Interview with the Vampire, and Doug Liman’s Edge of Tomorrow.