Tom Cruise's hair evolution: A look at the actor's 8 most memorable looks over the years

8 of Tom Cruise's iconic hairstyles and their cultural impact

One of Hollywood's iconic figures, Tom Cruise is known for his charisma, adaptability, and commitment to his work. His look has changed over the years to match the energy of his movies, but one feature has consistently garnered the most attention: his hair. Fans and fashion aficionados have been fascinated by Cruise's hairstyles through the years, from the feathery look of the early '80s to the sharp buzzcuts of the latest action blockbusters.

1. 1980s: Birth of a star with 'Top Gun' and 'Risky Business'

Tom Cruise sported many hairstyles throughout the 1980s when he began his career. With the scruffy hairstyle that became iconic in 'Risky Business', Cruise epitomized young charm. It served as a model for his later, more drastic hair transformations. He adopted a military-inspired haircut with the release of 'Top Gun', which has become inextricably linked to his character as Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, per Hairstats.com.

2. 1990s: Trying new things with longer locks and iconic roles

Cruise's hair grew out and became longer throughout the 1990s, giving him a more sophisticated appearance. He embraced a range of styles this decade, from the sleek, shorter cuts in films like 'Jerry Maguire' to the flowing tresses in 'Interview with the Vampire'. Cruise's long hair achieved a new level of class and style in 'Interview with the Vampire' (1994). This hairdo not only fit the movie's gothic theme but also highlighted how well Cruise could alter his appearance for an acting role.

3. 2000s: 'Mission Impossible' and a decade of hair evolution

With the 'Mission Impossible' series dominating the 2000s, Tom Cruise's hair remained perfectly styled in a short, stylish cut that fit the action roles he was taking on. However, Cruise's long hair made an unforgettable appearance in the 2000 film 'Mission: Impossible II'. His persona, Ethan Hunt, had long, wind-blown hair that became recognizable in and of itself. The hairdo remains one of Cruise's most recognizable looks.

4. 2010s: Age-defying hairstyles with 'Edge of Tomorrow'

Cruise proved his ability to defy age in the 2010s by sporting a range of hairstyles that showed off his diversity in both acting and personal style. These styles included longer, layered cuts and sharp, slicked-back looks. Cruise wore shorter hair in the 2013 film 'Oblivion' and the 2014 film 'Edge of Tomorrow,' which reflected the violent and futuristic themes of the movies. The sleek, contemporary looks complemented the high-tech settings of the movies.

5. 'Jerry Maguire' quiff hairstyle

Tom Cruise has had a lasting influence on pop culture with his famous looks and hairstyles that often capture the soul of his broad range of cinematic personas. Cruise's quiff hairstyle in the movie 'Jerry Maguire' embodied the sleek, businesslike guy of the 90s. Slicked back sides, voluminous front hair, and an overall sharp and clean look define this style. This unusual hairstyle quickly came to represent confidence and achievement, reflecting the path taken by the movie's protagonist.

6. Edgy dapper silver fox hairstyle from 'Collateral'

Cruise's 2004 film 'Collateral' contrasted with his previous long-haired roles. He portrayed Vincent, a hitman with a cold-blooded, exacting style. Cruise adopted a silver fox appearance with gray tones for the movie 'Collateral' which gave his hitman persona a more refined edge. This transformation brought attention to his versatility as an actor and showed that he could inhabit a role alongside his physical attributes.

7. Rockstar waves hairstyle from 'Rock of Ages'

In 'Rock of Ages,' Cruise personified the essence of an 80s rock star with his wild, untamed rockstar waves, which represented the exuberance and freedom of the rock and roll lifestyle. This extravagant appearance epitomized the musical environment of the day and spurred a comeback of classic dress and haircuts.

8. Combining hairstyles for 'Mission: Impossible — Fallout'

To accommodate his natural hair movement, Cruise's 'Mission Impossible' series look often called for crisp, textured trimmed layers. Cruise combined his previous shorter and longer hairstyles for 'Mission: Impossible — Fallout' (2018). This mid-length style retained its class and style while being appropriate for the high-action scenes. It displayed an adult, mature Ethan Hunt, fusing aspects of his previous and current looks.