Bryce Dallas Howard recently reflected on a formative memory connected to fame involving Tom Cruise during a panel discussion at MegaCon in Orlando on February 9. The event marked the 30th anniversary of her father Ron Howard’s film, Far and Away, which Tom Cruise promoted back in 1992. At the panel, Bryce, along with her father and uncle Clint Howard, shared insights about their experiences in the film industry, creating an atmosphere of excitement and nostalgia.
Recalling her youth, Bryce noted how she frequently visited sets alongside her father, leading her to perceive his job in a unique light. “My perception of his job and of the quote-unquote industry was the crew. And the actors were certainly part of it,” she said, adding a laugh as she remembered the few premieres she attended.
One vivid encounter shaped her understanding of celebrity status forever. When she was only 11 years old, Tom Cruise drew a crowd during a film screening in Tokyo for the royal family. “Tom Cruise is extraordinary when it comes to press and fan engagement and all of that — absolutely tireless,” Bryce explained. “He was walking in front of me, probably 10 feet in front of me on this red carpet. And all the fans were excited and he was waving, and he got a little too close and his arm got sucked, and then his entire body got sucked in to the crowd.” The energy of the fans seemed overwhelming, leaving a lasting impression on the young actress.
In that moment, Bryce’s youthful innocence transformed into confusion and concern. “Is he dead?” she thought as she witnessed Tom being overwhelmed by enthusiastic fans. “It was really crazy,” she recalled, emphasizing that at that point, she only knew Tom as her father’s friend who entertained them by doing backflips on set. Her initial reaction was a mix of awe and fear as the crowd erupted in an attempt to reach him.
Fortunately, Tom emerged from the chaos unharmed, dusted himself off, and continued interacting with fans. “I was like, ‘Is this because people love him?'” Bryce said, illustrating her realization of the peculiar nature of fame. Despite the surreal experience, she remembered the atmosphere as happy and energized, leading her to an important lesson: “Steer clear.” This incident profoundly impacted Bryces’s perception of Hollywood events and parties.
While the encounter gave her apprehensions about such gatherings, it did not deter her from pursuing a career behind the camera. “I was never asking to go to the parties or premieres,” she explained, demonstrating her preference for the creative aspects of filmmaking over the social events that showcased fame.
Her father, Ron, added insights about Bryce’s early aptitude for performing, noting that he and his wife, Cheryl, had reservations about her becoming a child actor, recalling his own experiences as a young performer. “We didn’t have the bandwidth to do what my parents did, which is really supervising,” he explained, showcasing his protective instincts as a parent.
Ultimately, Bryce Dallas Howard’s amusing and alarming encounter with Tom Cruise serves as a reminder of the complexities associated with fame. It illustrates how young talents navigate their paths in the industry while learning valuable lessons about stardom and the unpredictable nature of celebrity life. Bryce’s memory is one of many that underscore the impact of experiences—both joyful and daunting—on the trajectory of aspiring actors and filmmakers.
