Kurt Russell Shares Behind the Scenes Story of Tom Cruise Learning To Fly

Kurt Russell is opening up about the pivotal role he played in helping Tom Cruise transition from an on-screen ace to a certified real-world pilot. The legendary actor recently sat down with Entertainment Weekly to share how he mentored Cruise following the massive success of the 1986 classic Top Gun, admitting he saw a genuine hunger in the young star to actually master the cockpit.

While Russell is no longer an active pilot, he spent over thirty years in the sky operating a diverse range of aircraft. He recalled that after the first film, he and Tom got together because the younger actor was eager to experience flight firsthand. They spent time together in Russell’s own plane, and once it was clear Cruise was serious about the craft, Russell did everything in his power to support him in that journey.

Cruise eventually earned his license with additional help from the late director Sydney Pollack, who famously gifted the actor flight lessons during the production of The Firm. Since then, Cruise has become one of Hollywood’s most prolific aeronautical enthusiasts, performing his own aerial stunts in 2017’s American Made and the blockbuster 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.

Russell, who watched the sequel with a proud eye, praised Cruise’s skills, noting that he is truly a talented pilot. He expressed his admiration for how the creators handled the return of the character after several decades, stating that he felt the execution of the follow-up was simply fantastic.

Although Russell has stepped away from the pilot’s seat in recent years, his new Super Bowl commercial for Michelob ULTRA certainly captures that same high-flying energy. The ad, which features Russell as a legendary ski instructor guiding a “rookie” played by Maverick actor Lewis Pullman, was directed by Joseph Kosinski—the same visionary behind the Top Gun sequel.

Despite the reunion of so much Maverick talent, Russell laughed off questions about a potential Top Gun 3 appearance, though he did take time to praise Kosinski’s work on his latest racing epic, F1.

He also had plenty of kind words for Pullman, describing the young actor as an excellent partner who was willing to experiment on set. He noted that the heart of the commercial is the journey from an amateur to a hero, and he felt Pullman captured that transformation perfectly during their day of filming.

In a full-circle moment for the industry, the tradition of veteran actors helping newcomers find their wings has continued. Just as Russell and Pollack mentored Cruise, the Mission: Impossible star reportedly paid for his Maverick co-star Glen Powell to obtain his private pilot’s license. Powell shared in a 2020 social media post that Cruise had even gifted him an iPad pre-loaded with flight school materials to ensure he had everything needed to become the real deal.

As of this year, Kurt Russell remains a fixture of the streaming and television world. He is currently starring in the second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV+, reprising his role as Lee Shaw alongside his son, Wyatt Russell. Additionally, fans are eagerly awaiting his debut in the new Yellowstone spin-off, The Madison, where he stars as a series regular alongside Michelle Pfeiffer.

Do you think Kurt Russell should make a surprise appearance as a veteran flight instructor if they ever greenlight Top Gun 3? Share your thoughts in the comments!