Actress Dakota Fanning opened up about the unique tradition of receiving birthday gifts from Tom Cruise, a practice that has continued since their collaboration on the 2005 film War of the Worlds. Speaking on the November 6 episode of Watch What Happens Live, Fanning confirmed that Cruise still sends her gifts annually, highlighting their ongoing bond two decades after the film.
Fanning disclosed that the Mission Impossible star consistently sends her shoes for her birthday, a gesture that began after their work together on the Spielberg-directed sci-fi movie. This tradition has persisted into the present, underlining the lasting connection between the two actors.
Tom Cruise’s Consistent Birthday Gift Tradition Explained
During the televised interview with Andy Cohen and Brittany Snow, Fanning confirmed that Tom Cruise continues to send her birthday presents each year. When asked whether the tradition was still alive, she responded simply, “Yes, he does.” She further described the gifts as “really nice shoes,” indicating the thoughtful nature of each present.
Brittany Snow, intrigued by the sneakers secret, sought to uncover more details. Fanning responded,
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It’s really as simple as that, He’s just always given me shoes.
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She also explained that Cruise has adapted to changes in her shoe size over the years, demonstrating his attention to detail in maintaining this personalized gift exchange.
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It has changed, and he’s adapted.
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How the Gesture Began and Its Evolution
The footwear tradition followed an earlier memorable gift, which marked the start of their friendship off-screen. After portraying father and daughter in Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, Tom Cruise gifted Fanning a Motorola Razr cell phone when she turned 11 years old. She recounted in a 2024 interview with Harper’s Bazaar how thrilling this present was at a young age:
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I was so excited. I didn’t have anybody to call or text at that time, you know I was 11. I loved having it. I loved it. I felt so cool.
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Starting the following year, the shoe gift became an ongoing tradition. Fanning told Kelly Clarkson on her talk show that her passion for shoes combined with fitting into smaller adult sizes during the movie’s press tour inspired Cruise’s choice.
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He always sends me the same thing every year after the cell phone. I loved shoes when I was little and I started to be able to fit into really small adult shoes when I was on the War of the Worlds press tour, so I was very excited about them. From that birthday on, he always sends me shoes.
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Memories from Working on War of the Worlds
Reflecting on her experience filming with Spielberg and Cruise nearly 20 years ago, Fanning expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity. She told Access Hollywood on November 10,
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It was such a singular experience and I’m grateful that I knew it at the time, how special it was to be in a movie directed by Steven Spielberg and with Tom Cruise, it kinda doesn’t get more, like, ‘movie’ than that.
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This remarks the importance of the project in her career and the meaningful impact of her working relationship with Cruise.
Other Noteworthy Celebrity Friendships in Hollywood
Beyond the Fanning-Cruise connection, numerous other celebrity friendships endure with similar affection and support. These partnerships highlight the human side of fame through shared experiences and lasting bonds.
The Bond Between Cameron Diaz and Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie has expressed admiration for Cameron Diaz’s film work and enjoyed re-enacting memorable scenes together. On the Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino podcast in May 2024, Richie described their playful moment in Chicago:
We were in Chicago and I said to her, ‘Cameron, I need you to give it to me. I need you to get behind the luggage cart and run towards me, towards the airport,’ I really think like at a certain point, we were driving past things and I was like, ‘Say this. Say this. Say this.’ And she really just let me have it. It was very generous of her.
Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence’s Enduring Friendship
Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Schumer’s close friendship began after Lawrence emailed Schumer following a viewing of her 2015 comedy, Trainwreck. Lawrence recalled to The New York Times,
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I emailed her after I saw Trainwreck and said, ‘I don’t know where to get started. I guess I should just say it: I’m in love with you,’ We started emailing, and then emailing turned to texting.
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Their relationship deepened with Schumer’s informal invitation for Lawrence to join her and high school friends in the Hamptons. Schumer later described Lawrence on The Daily Show as
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the coolest chick you’ll ever meet, She’s the best hang, she was like one of the gang.
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Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini’s Instant Connection
Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini formed their friendship during the 2004 premiere of Man on Fire. Lopez shared with Entertainment Tonight,
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It was one of those instant chemistry things where you just feel like, ‘I love this person. I love being around this person. This person makes me laugh,’
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Remini later publicly supported Lopez following her performance at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, saying to E! News,
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I wrote her and said, ‘You know, you’re a girl from the Bronx. Like, what you did today was really inspiring, and it was just beautiful to watch, Just beautiful.’
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The Lifelong Friendship of Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow
Known as a benchmark for celebrity friendships, this trio has maintained their close relationship since their time on the show Friends. A source explained to E! News,
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They grew up together and went through this formidable life experience that was Friends,
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and noted their regular meet-ups:
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Geographically it’s not hard to be at Courteney’s Sunday dinners or at a pool party at Jen’s house, They all feel incredibly close and always will be.
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Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s Chosen Sisterhood
Fey and Poehler met during improv classes in 1993 and their friendship has been likened to family. Poehler told PopSugar about their relationship during the promotion of their film Sisters,
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I think that Tina and I are chosen sisters, I think we are chosen family, so I think it’s been fun to experience that thing I never got to experience in real life.
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Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps’ Instant Connection
The friendship between Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps blossomed instantly on the set of Dawson’s Creek. Philipps told Entertainment Weekly,
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It was like, you know, how people say love at first sight? We had that thing, We had that friend connection. It was just an immediate: ‘Of course we’re drinking wine and smoking cigarettes and getting in bar fights.’ We just had an immediate love for each other that’s continued over the years.
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Their companionship continues to capture public interest, seen in their coordinated public appearances and Williams’ experimental hair colors.
Adele and Drake’s Growing Musical Friendship
The relationship between Adele and Drake may be newer, but it is filled with mutual respect and warmth. Adele shared with Canada’s etalk,
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I really want us to do an official remix, I love Drake. I love Drake so much. I even got the coat that’s in the video, I got it delivered the other day, I ordered it. The red one.
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Drake responded warmly,
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I’d do anything with Adele. I’d literally go to Adele’s house right now and do laundry for her.
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The pair opted for casual outings including dining and bowling instead of more formal collaborations, signaling a relaxed camaraderie.
Kerry Washington and Eva Longoria’s Supportive Friendship
Kerry Washington has emphasized her commitment to honest communication with her friends, particularly Eva Longoria. Washington told Entertainment Tonight,
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I really do try to have those conversations openly and honestly as possible, especially with my soul sister, with Eva,
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which was a valuable source of support when Longoria had her son Santiago in 2018. In return, Longoria referred to Washington as “basically my doula.”
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Enduring Partnership
More than 35 years of friendship separate Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, anchored by their shared passion for filmmaking. Damon told Entertainment Tonight in 2016,
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I’ve known him for 35 years, and we grew up together, We were both in love with the same thing—acting and filmmaking. I think we fed on each other’s obsession during really formative, important years and that bonded us for life.
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Their collaboration continues with projects such as The Last Duel.
Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King’s Lifelong Bond
Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King began their friendship in 1976 while working at a Baltimore station, despite differing roles. King, recalling the hierarchy on CBS This Morning, explained that it was a snowstorm that brought them closer, when Winfrey invited King to stay at her house. Winfrey added,
“The next day, we went to the mall.”
Their friendship blossomed over shared moments, including a mutual appreciation for Casual Corner sweaters.
Serena Williams and Meghan Markle’s Close Connection
The friendship between tennis champion Serena Williams and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, began naturally despite their vastly different public roles. Markle described their first meeting at a 2014 Super Bowl event,
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Taking pictures, laughing through the flag football game we were both playing in, and chatting not about tennis or acting, but about all the good old fashioned girly stuff.
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Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams’ Enduring Sisterhood
Although Game of Thrones has ended, the bond between Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams remains strong. Williams, who was Turner’s maid of honor in 2019, joked about the series’ role in forging their relationship:
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It was like one big elaborate thing to find me a best friend. This whole show! I’m kidding. It’s been incredible. To have a friend like that on something as wild as this is just like a godsend, really.
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Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Taylor Swift’s Friendship
The admiration these stars share was humorously evident when Reynolds and Lively were seen reacting to their daughter James playing Taylor Swift’s song Gorgeous at a concert. Lively called the viral video
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the true, unfiltered version of our terrible stage parent pride.
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Their close relationship includes Fourth of July gatherings and music video cameos, underscoring the personal side of celebrity life.
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston’s Lasting Relationship
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston’s friendship dates back to their time working together on The Morning Show and the NBC series Friends. Aniston shared with Harper’s Bazaar how supportive she was during Witherspoon’s early motherhood,
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I was 23 years old and had just had a baby, I was nursing Ava [Phillippe] on set, and Jen just kept going, ‘You have a baby?’ I was like, ‘I know, it’s weird.’ And I remember her being like, ‘Where are you going?’ And I was like, ‘I’m pumping!’
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Witherspoon noted, “We’ve been friends ever since.”
Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg’s Unexpected Friendship
Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg formed a unique and entertaining friendship beginning with the 2015 Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber, later teaming up on their cooking show Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Snoop told LA Weekly,
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She different, ya know, than what I’m accustomed, But then again she’s so what I’m accustomed to. ‘Cause she people. She just look different and she was born in a different era, but if you hang out with her and chill with her, she just like anybody else. That’s why it works, because she never says nothing that’s crazy in my ears. It’s always like, ‘Damn, I thought you would say that. OK.’ That’s why we get down, that’s why we connected, Martha. ‘Cause it feels like holy matrimony, and not holy macaroni.
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Dakota Fanning’s revelation about Tom Cruise’s thoughtful birthday gifts offers a glimpse into the close relationships fostered through years of professional collaboration, reflecting how such bonds can transcend the demands of fame. These enduring friendships across Hollywood illustrate the deep connections formed behind the scenes, enriching both their personal and public lives.
