Simon Pegg says he doesn’t ask Tom Cruise about Scientology: ‘That would be abusing my privileged access’

Cruise has been linked to the controversial organisation since the 1980s

Tuesday 16 May 2023 10:07 BST

Tom Cruise invites King Charles to be 'his wingman' in coronation concert skit

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Simon Pegg has opened up about his longtime friendship with Tom Cruise.

The British actor, 53, joined the Mission Impossible franchise in its third instalment released in 2006.

He’s since starred in three more Mission Impossible movies opposite Cruise, 60, with the next – Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One – out 12 July.

In the latest edition of BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Pegg told host Lauren Laverne that he avoids talking to Cruise about his controversial faith in the Church of Scientology.

“I don’t ask him about stuff like that because I feel that would be me abusing my privileged access that I get to him, you know what I mean?” Pegg explained.

Cruise is Scientology’s most famous follower. The religion and its leader David Miscavige have been accused of bilking supporters for cash, separating members from their loved ones, and harassing and threatening journalists and critics.

Tom Cruise (left) and Simon Pegg (Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

Pegg added that his relationship with Cruise is “just very simple and amiable. We’re friends.”

“It’s always been a very easy relationship. I think you realize, when you meet the person rather than the thicket of mythology that’s built up around them, it’s a different experience,” he said.

“I mean, he loves the fame and he really relishes it, it’s all he knows. It energizes him and spurs him on.”

Pegg also said he “makes fun” of Cruise for his fame and “the things that he can access”. He recalled: “We were filming in South Africa recently on this mountain and then he decided he wanted to swim with sharks.

“He flew us in a helicopter to this seaside part and we dived with sharks. At the end of the day, we said, ‘That was a real Tom Cruise kind of day.’ He kind of appreciates the ridiculousness of it sometimes.”