Diane Lane recently reflected on her experience working with Tom Cruise over 40 years ago on the iconic film *The Outsiders*. Released in 1983 and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the movie featured a cast of young actors who would later rise to major stardom. Alongside Cruise, the ensemble included Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, and Matt Dillon.
*The Outsiders* was adapted from S.E. Hinton’s 1967 novel and tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis, a teenager from a group called the Greasers. Set in 1960s Oklahoma, the plot centers around the tensions between the Greasers and a rival group known as the Socs. Tom Cruise played Steve Randle, a tough character characterized by his crooked smile.
Now 60 years old, Lane recently shared memories of Cruise’s intense dedication to his role. In an interview with *People*, she recounted a particular story that left a lasting impression on her. “Tom Cruise really did make a sacrifice for his character,” she said. “I just remember that story of Tom Cruise making sure that it was evident that his tooth was knocked out in the rumble, and I thought, ‘That’s impressive. That’s commitment.’”
Over the years, various accounts have emerged about how Cruise achieved the look of his chipped tooth. Director Francis Ford Coppola expressed astonishment at Cruise’s willingness to go to great lengths for authenticity. “If the role called for a chipped tooth, he would willingly chip his tooth,” Coppola explained. This level of dedication became a hallmark of Cruise’s career, especially in his later work on the *Mission: Impossible* series.
Rob Lowe confirmed this story in a 2023 podcast, affirming that Cruise purposely removed a fake cap from one of his teeth for the movie. Lowe also mentioned that the young cast members constantly tried to outdo each other during filming, creating a competitive but dynamic environment.
As the lead female character in the film, Lane had a front-row seat to witness the cast’s interactions. She recounted, “The night shoots were interesting and long. And being the girl in that environment is interesting because you could sit back and just observe the male—the way they’re working it out with each other,” she said with a laugh. Lane often wondered whether the actors were truly getting into their characters or just goofing around to stay awake during the late-night shoots.
Lane recently appeared on *The Drew Barrymore Show* where she spoke more about the filmmaking experience. “It was hot. It was great,” she told Barrymore. “It was kind of too much testosterone for one girl. So I kept to myself. But I was definitely pinching myself. I was definitely overwhelmed.”
Tom Cruise has continued to take risks for his roles, and fans are still speculating whether *Dead Reckoning* will be his final *Mission: Impossible* movie.
Meanwhile, Lane stars in a new film titled *Anniversary*, currently in theaters. The movie explores how political differences can fracture a family. She plays Ellen Taylor, a college teacher whose son starts dating one of her former students. The girlfriend holds extreme political views that increasingly polarize the family, putting their unity to the test.
You can watch *Anniversary* in theaters now.
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