Veteran actress Diane Lane has shared a memorable story from the set of The Outsiders, praising Tom Cruise for his fearless dedication to his craft even at the start of his career.
In an interview with People, Diane Lane recalled working alongside Cruise in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 coming-of-age drama, which featured a star-studded cast including Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, and Matt Dillon. The film, based on S.E. Hinton’s 1967 novel, follows teen Ponyboy Curtis and his group of working-class “Greasers” as they clash with their wealthy rivals, the “Socs,” in 1960s Oklahoma.
Lane revealed that one particular moment from filming still stands out in her memory. During a rumble scene, Tom Cruise wanted to make sure that the camera captured the fact that one of his teeth had been knocked out. “I thought, that’s impressive. That’s commitment,” Diane Lane recalled, admiring his fearless and realistic approach to acting.
At the time, both actors were early in their Hollywood careers, but Lane said Cruise’s focus and enthusiasm were impossible to miss. She described him as “completely invested” in his role as Steve Randle, a tough member of the Greasers.
The actress noted that this level of commitment foreshadowed Cruise’s later reputation for performing daring stunts and pushing limits in films like Mission: Impossible and Top Gun: Maverick.
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Now, over forty years later, The Outsiders remains a cult classic, remembered for launching the careers of several major stars. For Diane Lane, the film was not only a defining project but also a glimpse into the early brilliance of an actor who would become one of Hollywood’s most daring performers.
