Dakota Fanning recently shared a heartwarming detail about her long standing friendship with Tom Cruise. The Hollywood star continues to send her a stylish pair of shoes every year for her birthday, a gesture that began nearly 20 years ago when they worked together on the 2005 blockbuster War of the Worlds. Speaking on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Thursday November 6, Fanning confirmed that Cruise has never missed a year.
When asked whether he still sends her presents she replied with a smile that he does and mentioned that the gifts are always high quality footwear. Her co guest Brittany Snow jokingly asked if they were sneakers or something fancy and Fanning simply said they are very nice shoes. She also revealed that Cruise has kept track of her shoe size as it changed over time showing how thoughtful the actor is about this ongoing tradition.
Their bond started when Fanning played Cruise’s daughter in the Steven Spielberg directed sci fi hit. Fanning was just 11 at the time and the close connection they built on set has carried on through adulthood. The film told the story of a father trying to protect his family during an alien invasion and the emotional relationship on screen clearly translated off screen as well.
It is not the only memorable gift she has received from Cruise. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in 2024 Fanning revealed that he surprised her with her very first mobile phone for her 11th birthday a Motorola Razr which she proudly cherished. Since then shoes have been his signature gift marking each birthday with a personal reminder of their friendship.
Today both stars are busy with their own careers Fanning promoting her Peacock series All Her Fault and Cruise continuing his action packed film legacy. Yet despite the years and distance the sweet tradition remains a symbol of their lasting connection formed during the making of War of the Worlds now available to stream on Paramount+.