Tom Cruise's Risky Business audition shocker

Tom Cruise reminisced about the making of his breakout film, Risky Business, in a 1983 interview with Cameron Crowe. He shared that he was initially offered a role in another film the same week Risky Business came up. Cruise recalled an unexpected audition where he arrived unprepared, wearing a jean jacket with a chipped tooth and greasy hair.

He was surprised when asked to read with Rebecca De Mornay, who was cast as Lana. Although their initial chemistry test wasn't strong, director Paul Brickman trusted Cruise's vision. Cruise credited Brickman with conceiving the memorable scene where his character dances in his underwear.

Cruise chose Bob Seger's 'Old Time Rock & Roll' for the iconic scene, improvising much of the choreography. The film's studio executives later requested changes to the ending, seeking a more upbeat conclusion than the original restaurant scene. Cruise and the team fought for the original vision but ultimately reached a compromise that retained the film's core message.