Actress Gina Gershon, known for roles in edgy films like Showgirls and Bound, shares an unforgettable experience from filming the iconic Tom Cruise cocktail scene in her memoir. In the book AlphaPussy, released recently, Gershon recounts her time working with Cruise in 1988, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the chemistry and unexpected moments on set during their famous scene.
Early Career and Theater Roots
Before her film success, Gina Gershon cultivated a strong foundation in theater. While studying at New York University, she participated in a demanding workshop led by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, a formative experience that shaped her craft. Later, she co-founded the Naked Angels theater company alongside notable members such as Fisher Stevens, Joe Mantello, and Nancy Travis. The company attracted high-profile support, with John F. Kennedy Jr. serving as a board member, which Gershon remembers as a particularly vibrant and dynamic time in her career.
Influential Relationships and Industry Connections
Gershon’s memoir also highlights her interactions with various prominent figures across entertainment and music. For a time, she was related by marriage to Sharon Stone, who advised her to be more flexible about her age to suit casting needs. In fact, Gershon ended up lying about her age for her role in Showgirls to convincingly portray the seasoned character Cristal Connors.
Her early encounters with the Playboy world brought disturbing memories, including an incident involving Paul Snider, the man who murdered his wife, Playboy model Dorothy Stratten. Out dancing with Jodie Foster, Gershon recalls being offered a modeling opportunity by Snider, only to later discover his criminal actions.
Friends and Mentors from Academic Years
During her high school days at Beverly Hills High, Gershon struck a lasting friendship with Lenny Kravitz, who then went by the name Romeo Blue. Her connection with actor Martin Landau, who she describes as “an actor’s actor,” extended beyond mentorship into collaboration with the 1987 film Sweet Revenge. At NYU, she also studied alongside Bridget Fonda, working together on a scene from David Rabe’s play In the Boom Boom Room, which centers on a go-go dancer’s story.
Memories of Filming with Tom Cruise
Gina Gershon’s first love scene was with Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail. She fondly remembers his warmth and chemistry on set, describing him as both charming and sexy. The scene included an unexpected moment when Cruise began tickling her, resulting in her accidentally striking him in the nose, an incident Gershon feared might have caused injury.
“He could not have been sweeter or sexier,”
Gina Gershon recalled.
“We definitely had chemistry and I couldn’t believe I was getting paid to make out with him.”
“I thought I had broken his nose,”
she wrote.
“I apologized profusely. I felt terrible. But Tom, the eternal gentleman, said he was OK and acknowledged that he’d been warned.”
Encounters with Other Celebrities in New York and Beyond
While working at Café Central in New York City during college, Gershon noticed Bruce Willis bartending, causing tension with her actor boyfriend at the time, who felt overshadowed by Willis’s charisma. The café also played host to regulars like Mickey Rourke. Later, at a roast for Denis Leary, comedian Jeff Garlin praised Gershon’s comedic performance, a moment that led to a role on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Producer Rick Rubin encouraged her to accept the role, emphasizing its importance.
Working with Iconic Directors and Choreographers
Gershon shares her experience of meeting director Robert Altman in a production setting, which led to her casting in the 1992 film The Player. She describes the production atmosphere as inclusive and collaborative, a stark contrast to the often isolating process of filming. The presence of free pizza also added to the positive environment.
Her audition for Sweet Charity was a career highlight, particularly due to legendary choreographer Bob Fosse’s hands-on instruction. Gershon recalls that during rehearsals, Fosse personally placed his hands on her hips to demonstrate the exact movement required, an unforgettable moment for the actress.
“Working with Altman was an incredible experience,”
Gershon reflected.
“It felt very communal. Making a movie can sometimes be so isolating, and this was just the opposite. Plus, there was free pizza.”
“At the end of the day, when they were teaching us three new dances to learn for the next callback, Fosse himself — cigarette dangling iconically from mouth — came up behind me, put his hands on my hips, and showed me exactly how to move,”
she recalled. “I was in heaven.”
Boxing and Music Partnerships
Preparing for the film Bound, Gershon incorporated boxing into her training, where she sparred with Bob Dylan. She hesitated to hit him initially but eventually landed a punch hard enough to knock him down. The event led to a friendship that continued through their training sessions.
“Bob started laughing and said, ‘I need a good woman to kick my ass every now and then,’”
she wrote.
“We became sparring partners and good friends after that. I love him.”
Her musical ventures included working with Joan Jett, who coached her guitar playing for the film Prey for Rock & Roll. Jett candidly advised Gershon on how to emulate her stage presence with an edgy attitude.
“In a very Joan Jett way, she said, ‘Spread your legs, place the guitar against your c***, and pretending you’re jerking off,’”
Gershon shared.
To promote the same film, Gershon performed live with members of Guns N’ Roses at the Sundance Film Festival, including Matt Sorum, Slash, and Duff McKagan. Her friendship with Sorum helped quickly organize the band’s participation in the shows, highlighting her strong connections in the rock world.
Adventures with Stallone and Film Racing
During the production of Driven in 2001, starring Sylvester Stallone, Gershon aspired to drive the race cars used in filming. Although she did not receive professional training, she managed to hide that fact from Stallone when asked to participate in a photo shoot with a car, keeping her “virgin ride” a secret.
“He never found out that was my virgin ride,”
Gershon admitted.
The Enduring Impact of Gershon’s Career and Stories
Gina Gershon’s memoir AlphaPussy offers a deep dive into her extensive career, featuring striking anecdotes and personal moments with some of entertainment’s most influential figures. The Tom Cruise cocktail scene story stands out as a vivid illustration of her early career magic and the unexpected realities behind iconic film moments. Her diverse experiences—from theater beginnings to collaborations with celebrated directors, musicians, and actors—reflect a multifaceted journey marked by resilience and rich creative connections.
As Gershon continues to work in film and television, her reflections provide insight into the intricate web of relationships and events that shape a performer’s path. Fans can anticipate further revelations and stories that underline the complex world behind the scenes of Hollywood’s most memorable productions.
