Born Mary Lee Pfeiffer, the Louisville, Kentucky, native was a special-education teacher when she wed Cruises father, Thomas Cruise Mapother III, an electrical engineer. It was from her that Cruise developed a passion for acting.
That close relationship continued when the family relocated to Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and Mary Lee wed Jack South in 1978, when Cruise was 16.He loved my mother so much that he took us all in, all four young people, Cruise later recalled.
After a knee injury sidelined her sons varsity wrestling career, Mary Lee encouraged him to try out for a high school production of Guys and Dolls.After the play, Cruise surprised his mother by asking if he could have 10 years to give show business a try. She approved, and with her support, he wai