IN JUNE Tom Cruise took the No.1 spot on Forbes magazine's annual list of the world's 100 most powerful stars. Over the past 10 years all but one of his movies have grossed more than $US200 million ($262 million) worldwide. His top-grossing movie was War of the Worlds (2005), which topped $US590 million around the world.

In May, a USA Today poll showed his public approval rating had slipped to 35 per cent. Many of the people polled cited his blunt criticism of psychiatry and the actress Brooke Shields, who had sought treatment for postnatal depression.

Last year Cruise became the butt of jokes for a manic, couch-hopping appearance on Oprah Winfrey's TV show, during which he declared his love for his girlfriend, Katie Holmes.

Hollywood's highest accolade - an Oscar - has eluded Cruise, despite three nominations for his roles in Magnolia, Jerry Maguire and Born on the Fourth of July.

As a teenager, Cruise planned on becoming a Catholic priest. In 1990 he converted to the controversial Church of Scientology, becoming one of its most high-profile advocates, and credited it with helping him overcome dyslexia and finding "inner peace".

Twice married - to actresses Mimi Rogers and Nicole Kidman - Cruise is now engaged to Holmes, with whom he had his first biological child, Suri, in April.