Kurt Russell has shared a fun and heartwarming story about how he helped Tom Cruise learn to fly after the massive success of Top Gun. The veteran actor, who spent many years flying planes himself, said Cruise was so inspired by the movie that he wanted to experience flying in real life. And once Russell saw how serious he was, he stepped in to guide him.
Russell revealed that he flew for almost 30 years and had experience with many different types of aircraft. Even though he no longer flies regularly, aviation has always been close to his heart. So when Cruise approached him with a strong desire to learn, he was more than happy to help.
“He wanted to go flying, so we took my plane up,” Russell shared. “And once I saw how badly he wanted to learn, I did whatever I could to support him.”
According to Russell, Cruise was fully focused and excited from the very start. He quickly picked up the basics and showed real talent in the cockpit. Russell praised his skills, saying Cruise turned out to be a natural pilot and handled the controls with confidence.
After that first flying experience, Cruise decided to take his training seriously. With help from Russell and encouragement from director Sydney Pollack, he went on to complete professional flying lessons. Pollack later even gifted Cruise more flight training after working with him on the film The Firm.
Over the years, Cruise has used his flying skills in several of his movies. One of the most famous examples is American Made, where he played a pilot involved in risky missions. His love for flying became even more visible in Top Gun: Maverick, the long-awaited sequel released in 2022.
In the film, Cruise returns as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, now a seasoned Navy pilot who trains a new group of young flyers for a dangerous mission. The movie was a huge success and received praise from fans and critics around the world. Russell said he truly enjoyed watching Cruise step back into the role and admired the energy and emotion of the sequel.
“I loved what they did with it. It was great,” Russell said, adding that Cruise looked completely comfortable in the cockpit, even after so many years.
While Russell may not be flying these days, he recently teamed up again with Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski for a Super Bowl commercial. The ad also stars Lewis Pullman, who appeared in the film. Russell said the shoot was a lot of fun and full of creative moments.
He also spoke highly of Pullman, saying he brought great energy to the set and was always open to trying new ideas. For Russell, the experience reminded him of the joy of working with passionate and talented people.
Meanwhile, Cruise has continued to pass on his love for flying. His Top Gun: Maverick co-star Glen Powell revealed that Cruise paid for his flying lessons and supported him throughout his journey. Powell later proudly announced that he had earned his pilot’s license and thanked Cruise for pushing him forward.
From teaching Cruise to fly to watching him inspire others, Russell’s story shows how one movie helped create a real-life passion that still lives on.
