“According to Tom, He Is Involved”- Dakota Fanning Confirms Tom Cruise’s Annual Shoe Tradition Continues

Published 08/25/2026, 1:56 AM EDT

via Imago

Decades may have passed since Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning shared the screen in Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, but the actor has seemingly never let go of a thoughtful tradition for his co-star. The two played a father-daughter duo in the 2005 sci-fi film, when Fanning was just 10 years old. Since then, Cruise has always sent her shoes as a gift every year.

Now, the actress is 32, and she revealed that the tradition is still going strong. She even shared her thoughts on whether Cruise had a personal hand in picking out the gifts every year.

Tom Cruise’s thoughtful birthday tradition for Dakota Fanning

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Dakota Fanning recently appeared on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, where she revealed that she still receives birthday gifts from Tom Cruise every year. As Fanning shared, the gifts are usually a different pair of shoes each time. When Horowitz asked whether Cruise personally picks out the shoes, Fanning admitted that she had never actually asked him.

“According to Tom, he is involved. So, he's involved. So, I don't know. I don't know the specifics. I don't ask,” she said.

SAINT LAURENT At The Palladium - Arrivals LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Actresses Elle Fanning (L) and Dakota Fanning attend the Saint Laurent show at The Hollywood Palladium on February 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. CAP ROT TM TM ROT Los Angeles CA USA

She told Horowitz that the shoes are always something that is trending at the time. Previously, during an appearance on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live, the actress shared the same story. When Cohen asked whether Cruise sends shoes in her current size or sticks to the size she wore as a child, Fanning confirmed that the actor has adapted the gifts to fit her current size. Later in an interview with Harper's BAZAAR, she also revealed that Cruise’s presents have not always been limited to shoes, recalling that he gifted her a cellphone for her 11th birthday.

“I loved having it. I loved it. I felt so cool," she said.

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Speaking of her co-star, Fanning also opened up about a recent photo she took with Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell.

Dakota Fanning and Tom Cruise reunited for Disclosure Day screening

During the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Dakota Fanning was asked about the iconic photo of her posing alongside Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell. She recalled that the picture was taken during the screening of Steven Spielberg’s recent film Disclosure Day. The three had come together to watch the film and support the director.

“And Tom, my mom and I, we jumped up and down. We were so excited to see each other. It was amazing,” she recalled. 

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Cruise also had a popcorn bucket shaped like Steven Spielberg, which also had a hat featuring the film’s title, as seen in the photo. While Fanning has never worked with Farrell, the 59-year-old actor previously worked with Cruise in Spielberg’s Minority Report. Despite working together years ago, Cruise and Farrell have clearly remained close, as seen at the Disclosure Day premiere. And the same can be said about Fanning and Cruise.

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Did you know about Tom Cruise's sweet gesture for his co-star Dakota Fanning? Let us know in the comments.

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Pritha Debroy

1114 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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