How Tom Cruise Shaped Tropic Thunder’s Iconic Character Les Grossman

NEW YORK, NY — Actor Ben Stiller revealed in a recent podcast that Tom Cruise played a crucial role in the creation of the character Les Grossman in the 2008 film Tropic Thunder. During a conversation on the New Heights Podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, Stiller recounted how Cruise’s input transformed the movie.

The genesis of their collaboration dates back to 2000, when Stiller and Cruise first met while working on a quirky short film for the MTV Movie Awards. Despite the years passing, their friendship remained intact as they sought future projects together.

While Stiller was writing Tropic Thunder, he created a humorous video for his wife, Christine Taylor. The parody of the TV show 24 featured his brother-in-law, whom Stiller referred to as ‘the worst actor ever.’ Stiller invited Cruise to participate in the video, asking him to share a scene where Brian Taylor recited Jack Nicholson’s famous courtroom speech from A Few Good Men.

Cruise accepted the invitation, displaying his professionalism during the shoot, and after filming, Stiller suggested that Cruise join the cast of Tropic Thunder.

Upon reading the script, Cruise identified a gap in the film’s humor. He noted that while the movie lampooned actors and agents, it overlooked studio executives—the powerful figures in the industry.

Stiller recalled: “He looked at me and said, ‘You know, you make fun of the actors, you make fun of everybody and the agents and all that, but you don’t make fun of the studio heads. You should add a studio head.'” This led to the birth of Les Grossman, a loud and vulgar Hollywood producer.

Stiller emphasized that Les Grossman was a character of Cruise’s design and did not exist until just three months before shooting commenced. In an additional twist, Cruise suggested that Grossman should have wild dance moves—a quirky addition that helped define the character’s outrageous persona.

Stiller, who directed, co-wrote, produced, and starred in Tropic Thunder, described Cruise’s contribution as a game changer, making Les Grossman an unforgettable element of the film.

As Tropic Thunder continues to garner acclaim over the years, the legacy of Les Grossman stands as a testament to the creative collaboration between Stiller and Cruise.