Tom Cruise Personality Type – MBTI & Big Five

What personality type is the legend and movie star, that is Tom Cruise? I will mostly be focusing on the big five personality traits to analyse his behaviour, actions, choices and beliefs. However, we will also be taking a look at other psychological aspects, and his Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) type.

Tom Cruise Early Life

Tom Cruise was raised as a Catholic, with early ambitions of becoming a Priest. He described his father as a coward and bully, and someone that was unstable and that couldn’t be trusted. His father seemed like the type of person that would take out their frustrations on others. Tom Cruise, reportedly attended 15 schools in 14 years. You could say that he had a troubled, unstable and turbulent childhood.  

Tom Cruise Movies & Career

Tom Cruise is an American actor. His first major role was in 1981 in the movie Endless Love. However, it was with the release of the 1983 movie Risky Business which propelled his career. This led to him starring in top-earning movies such as Top Gun and The Color of Money. Tom Cruise’s biggest movie hits include, The Mission Impossible movies, War of the Worlds, The Last Samurai, Rain Man, The Mummy, and his top grossing movie ever, is the recently released Top Gun Maverick.

Tom Cruise Personality Type – Big Five Traits

Openness

Tom Cruise certainly has strong artistic and creative tendencies. This would come under the interest in the aesthetics aspect of the openness trait. He also seems high in the interest in ideas aspect. Getting involved in Scientology would suggest he’s not afraid to move away from traditional and conventional beliefs. It suggests openness to ideas and opportunities. So yes, he seems very high in trait openness.  

Conscientiousness

Tom Cruise is an exceptionally hard worker. So he is very high in the industrious aspect of conscientiousness. He could also be described as obsessive, and a perfectionist, which would fall under the orderliness aspect. Overall, he is very high in conscientiousness.  

Extroversion

Most actors tend to be extroverted, and I’m tilting towards labelling him that way. Thrill seeking and assertiveness are sub-traits of extroversion on the big five. These traits seem to fit his personality, so yes, I’m going with high in extroversion.

Agreeableness

Tom Cruise seems relativity high on trait agreeableness. He seems to fit the majority of the sub-traits, such as morality, trust, compassion, and politeness. However, I do believe he has a strong competitive nature, like many of the characters that he has played. Being competitive over cooperative is associated with low in agreeableness. So, high in some aspects, and low in others.

Neuroticism

There are a few reasons why Tom is low on this trait. Firstly, most actors will be low on neuroticism; they have to deal with a lot of rejection, even the most successful actors. Someone who is high in neuroticism will be more sensitive to rejection, stress and pressure. It would simply be a lot harder to succeed in the industry. Also, being a thrill-seeker suggests this as well. Being a frequent flyer as well as motorcycle rider also indicates low neuroticism.  

Tom Cruise Personality Type – MBTI

Tom Cruise’s personality fits the ESTP description pretty nicely. He is an outgoing, assertive person. He is very aware of his surroundings, and sensitive to sensory input, which contributes to him being a thrill-seeker. Tom is well-known for doing his own stunts, flying planes and riding bikes, obviously seeking that sensory stimulation and excitement.

With auxiliary thinking, he is analytical, tactical, and logically minded. ESTPs can be the rebellious type. One might say that he has a temperamental tendency to be a Maverick.