PROFILES IN STARDOM — by Steve Nadis
RISKY BUSINESS is often remembered as the movie that made Tom Cruise a star. While that is true, it’s also the movie that made my cousin Mike a star. He played a pivotal role in the famous party scene, where the Tom Cruise was interviewed for college (Princeton, I believe). During that scene my cousin’s silhouette–as viewed through a shade–dominates the screen for several seconds. In that period, nobody watching the movie is thinking about Tom Cruise; they’re wondering: Who in the heck is that guy behind the shade? How can I get to know this guy better? This is a guy with real presence. This is a guy who could really carry a picture.
Unfortunately, my cousin, to the best of my knowledge, never followed up on that leading role, choosing instead to go out on top. In so doing, he paid homage to the age-old dictum: Leave ‘em wanting more.
People always remember that movie for my brother Mike’s role of reading the magazine upside down while leaning against the fireplace mantle during the big party scene.
Often overlooked is brother Kenny who made the credits as a production person and who got Tom Cruise mad by beating him in racquetball on a rare day off. Unlike Mike, Kenny did go on to bigger things. However, you’d have to ask him for details.
cousin bob
Hello cousin bob, thanks for the reality check. Yes, Ken did beat Tom Cruise in racquetball and yes Tom Cruise was able to use that anger to good effect in his star-making role. He did go on to bigger and better things [Ken, not Tom] and Mike has, as well, although in a quieter, unassuming, and smaller way.