Cruise talks to Oprah about image, faith, family

[May 01, 2008]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Tom Cruise's two-part interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" includes a snowmobile ride and a frank discussion of his rocky media image, followed by an in-studio celebration of "Risky Business" 25 years ago, a person close to the production told The Associated Press Wednesday.

Cruise talks candidly with Winfrey about his personal life, said the person, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the show and requested anonymity. He discusses his childhood, life with wife Katie Holmes and their daughter Suri, Scientology and a 2005 appearance on "The Today Show" in which he criticized psychiatry and the use of anti-depressant drugs.

Cruise and Winfrey are longtime friends, but they have not seen each other since his infamous couch-jumping incident on her show three years ago, the person said. The actor is currently in talks to star in the fourth "Mission: Impossible" film.

For Friday's show, Winfrey interviewed the 45-year-old actor at his home in Telluride, Colo., where he shares personal photos and anecdotes with the talk-show queen. Monday's episode was taped in front of a studio audience and includes appearances by several celebrities who congratulate Cruise on a career that took off when he danced in his underwear in 1983's "Risky Business."

"In his 25 years in the business, Tom Cruise has become the epitome of a true Hollywood star," Warner Home Video senior vice president and general manager Jeff Baker said in a statement Wednesday. "We are very proud of this timeless classic and the film that became his breakthrough role."

The company plans to release a commemorative DVD of the film, a representative said.

Cruise can next be seen on the big screen in "Tropic Thunder," set for release in August.

[Associated Press; By SANDY COHEN]

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