In a classic Tom Cruise moment, the actor commanded the spotlight at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony with a daring feat that defied gravity and redefined cool.
Forget about simply passing the torch-Cruise jumped off the roof of the Stade de France, making sure the transition from the Paris Games to theL.A. 2028 Olympics was anything but ordinary.
The “Mission: Impossible” star, who’s been in Europe filming the latest installment of the franchise, took the dive from the top of France’s largest stadium, landing smack in the middle of the Olympic stage. The crowd? Absolutely lost their minds. And who was there to greet him? None other than L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who accepted the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. But Cruise wasn’t done yet.
In a scene straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster, Cruise hopped onto a motorcycle, flag in hand, and tore out of the stadium, riding through the streets of Paris like a man on a mission. With the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ hit “By the Way” blasting in the background, he didn’t just stop there.
The actor drove right into a waiting helicopter, leaped out of it mid-air, and parachuted down to the iconic Hollywood sign. And what did he do when he landed? Attached the five Olympic rings to the sign, sealing the deal in true Cruise fashion.
This wasn’t Cruise’s first Olympic rodeo either. The action star has been a fixture at the Paris Games, attending the opening ceremony on July 27, and rubbing elbows with A-listers like Steven Spielberg, Ariana Grande, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Just a day before the games kicked off, he was even honored as a Knight of the Legion of Honor by France’s culture minister, Rachida Dati. Talk about a busy week!
Tom Cruise turns Paris Olympics closing ceremony into Hollywood blockbuster with an amazing cast and soundtrack
Meanwhile, L.A. was already gearing up for its big moment in 2028, as Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers delivered electric performances at the handover celebration. Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy winner H.E.R. also brought down the house with her rendition of the U.S. national anthem. Paris had its moment too, with French bands Phoenix and Air, and Belgian pop sensation Angele lighting up the stage earlier in the night.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass was beaming as she talked to reporters in Paris. She promised the L.A. Games would reflect the diversity and international spirit of the city. And with Hollywood in the mix, she teased that we should expect plenty of “magical opportunities,” hinting that the closing ceremony was just the start of what’s to come.
Paris definitely set the bar high, though, with its historic venues hosting almost every event. From the Place de la Concorde to the Eiffel Tower, and even the Chateau de Versailles, the city was a stunning backdrop for the world’s greatest athletes.
Not to mention, the opening ceremony was a jaw-dropping spectacle along the Seine River, featuring performances by Lady Gaga and Celine Dion. The L.A. Games have some big shoes to fill, but if Cruise’s stunt is anything to go by, we’re in for a wild ride.