Tom Cruise may be in his 60s, but the action star was still able to set a Guinness World Record while filming a stunt for “Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning.”
The organization announced this week that Cruise had been awarded the title for “most burning parachute jumps by an individual,” citing the 16 times the A-lister “leapt out of a helicopter…while strapped to a parachute pre-soaked in fuel and lit ablaze.”
The flaming parachute could only burn for seconds before Cruise, known for performing his own stunts, had to cut it away and deploy a backup, as CBS News reported. The actor would also hold a 50-pound camera for some of the jumps.
“Tom doesn’t just play action heroes — he is an action hero!” Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, said of the stunt. “A large part of his success can be chalked up to his absolute focus on authenticity and pushing the boundaries of what a leading man can do. It’s an honor to be able to recognize his utter fearlessness with this new Guinness World Records title.”
Cruise posted a clip of some of the jumps on social media. “If this is twisted while it’s burning, I’m going to be spinning and burning. I have to kick out of the twist and then ignite in 10 seconds,” Cruise can be heard saying before jumping. “We’re going to be real smart. I’m not saying be risky. We don’t take risks, obviously.”
Light the fuse. pic.twitter.com/X1i1w70VOX
— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) June 5, 2025
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” had a strong Memorial Day Weekend debut and has grossed $390 million at the worldwide box office. This gave the movie business a much-needed boost after a sluggish start to the year.
“This weekend was one for the history books!” Cruise wrote in a note he shared with followers after the debut. “Congratulations and thank you to every filmmaker, every artist, every crew member and every single person who works at the studios.”
Gift Dad an All Access Membership. Use code DAD40 at checkout to save 40%!
“To every theater and every employee who helps bring these stories to audiences, thank you,” the message continued. “To everyone that works at Paramount Pictures and Skydance, thank you for your many years of partnership and unwavering support. And most of all, THANK YOU to audiences everywhere for whom we all serve and for whom we all LOVE to entertain. Sincerely, Tom.”
Cruise had previously discussed doing “physically punishing” stunts during filming. One involved him breathing in his own carbon monoxide during an underwater submarine scene.
“You have to overcome all of that while you’re doing it, and be present,” he said during a February interview with Empire, as The Daily Wire previously reported.
Cruise also discussed an action sequence on the outside of a biplane, saying he passed out multiple times while filming it.
“When you stick your face out [of an airplane], going over 120 to 130 miles an hour, you’re not getting oxygen,” the Hollywood star said. “So I had to train myself how to breathe. There were times I would pass out physically; I was unable to get back into the cockpit.”