Tom Cruise 'Barfed on Himself' During Jet Ride That Sold Him on *Top Gun*

A Journey to the Skies: How Tom Cruise Got Hooked on Top Gun

As the iconic 1986 film Top Gun celebrates its 40th anniversary, the story behind its creation continues to captivate fans. One of the most memorable moments in the film's history involves a daring flight that helped convince star Tom Cruise to take on the role of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.

Jack Epps Jr., the screenwriter of Top Gun, shared a fascinating anecdote about how Cruise became enamored with the film's premise. According to Epps, before officially signing on to the project, Cruise was taken up in a fighter jet by a group of U.S. Navy pilots. The experience left a lasting impression on the actor.

"They look at him and they don't know who Tom Cruise is," Epps said in a recent interview. "They do what they like to do: They took him up, they shook him around, he barfed on himself, and he came out and said, 'I love this.' From that moment, he was on."

Jerry Bruckheimer, the film's producer, also reflected on the pivotal moment that sealed Cruise's commitment. He explained that he personally arranged for the actor to fly with the Blue Angels in El Centro, California. At the time, Cruise had a different look than his Top Gun character—he had long hair and a ponytail from his role in the 1985 film Legend.

"He had long hair and a ponytail and they saw this guy walk up and they said, 'We'll get this hippy a real ride,'" Bruckheimer recalled. "They sure did, and he got out of the plane, walked to a phone booth, because there were no cell phones then, called me up, said, 'I'm in.'"

Cruise later shared his own perspective on the flight during a 2016 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He revealed that he had already decided to take the role after meeting with Bruckheimer and director Tony Scott. However, he wanted to use the opportunity to fly with the Blue Angels as a way to secure his commitment.

"I told my agent, 'I'm going to make this movie, but don't tell Jerry I want to make this movie, because I want to fly with the Blue Angels,'" Cruise said. "You've got work these things, you know? I'm a businessman."

He also admitted to losing his lunch during the flight. "I vomited with the Blue Angels," he told Kimmel.

Curt "Griz" Watson, a pilot with the Blue Angels, provided further insight into the flight in a 2023 video interview. He described how he took Cruise in the back of a jet and performed some rolls and loops. Watson also let Cruise take the controls for a bit.

"My understanding was that he came back from the flight and went directly to a phone booth and called the producer and said, 'I'll do it,'" Watson remembered. "And I got a really nice letter from him that said, 'Thanks for the ride, I appreciate it.' And something to the effect of, 'It really helped me with my character development for the movie.'"

The Legacy of Top Gun

The success of Top Gun not only solidified Tom Cruise's status as an action star but also brought attention to the U.S. Navy's elite flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels. The film's influence extended far beyond the box office, inspiring a new generation of aviators and aviation enthusiasts.

The original Top Gun and its sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, are currently playing in theaters as part of the celebration of the original film's 40th anniversary. Fans continue to revisit the classic, which remains a beloved piece of cinematic history.