The Mapother/Cruise Connection

LOUISVILLE, Ky.-Thomas Cruise Mapother IV does not quite have the ring to it that Tom Cruise does. That could be why the mega-star changed his name when he got into acting. Though Bill Mapother, a well-known consultant in the credit union industry, has made a name for himself among lenders in the bankruptcy recovery strategies arena, his nephew has really hit it big and now Mapother’s son is on his way to stardom as well. As children, cousins William Jr., Mapother’s son, and Tom Cruise (ne Mapother) would intentionally crash into each other on their skateboards, according to an article from People magazine. Now, they work together in the movies. Over the last few years, William Jr. has gained recognition for his acting as well. According to www.imbd.com (Internet Movie Database), he began in small parts in Born on the Fourth of July, Magnolia, and Mission: Impossible II and others with Cruise but has gone on as a supporting actor in 2001s In the Bedroom, 2004s The Grudge and 2005s The Zodiac, among other films. He just finished filming Ask the Dust with Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek. William Jr. is still busy filming Searching for Mickey Fish with Daniel Baldwin and an untitled project with famed director Oliver Stone about the Sept. 11 attacks, which will also include Nicholas Cage.