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Ben Stiller Pretends to Be Tom Cruise’s ‘Stunt Double’ – Watch His Hilarious Take on the Action Star’s Moves!
In the world of Hollywood, Tom Cruise is the undisputed king of high-octane stunts. From dangling off the side of a skyscraper in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol to performing death-defying aerial maneuvers in Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise’s willingness to risk it all for authenticity has made him one of the most iconic action stars of all time. However, even the most committed stars need a little comedic relief sometimes, and that’s exactly what Ben Stiller delivered when he hilariously pretended to be Tom Cruise’s “stunt double.”
Known for his impeccable comedic timing and slapstick humor, Ben Stiller has a knack for turning even the most serious of situations into something laugh-out-loud funny. So when he was asked to step into Cruise’s shoes and “take on” the daredevil stunts that Cruise is famous for, fans knew they were in for a treat. In this unforgettable moment, Stiller’s take on Cruise’s action-packed persona became one of the most hilarious behind-the-scenes spectacles in recent memory.
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The Backstory: How Ben Stiller Became Tom Cruise’s ‘Stunt Double’
It all started with a lighthearted promotional stunt for the upcoming Mission: Impossible film. While promoting Mission: Impossible – Fallout in 2018, Tom Cruise took to the stage at a press event where he was asked about the grueling stunts and his famous commitment to performing them himself. The audience, already aware of his legendary dedication to doing his own stunts, was in for a surprise when Ben Stiller, who was also on hand for the event, was asked to “step in” as Tom Cruise’s stunt double.
In typical Stiller fashion, he took the opportunity to turn this situation into a comedic bit, pretending to be Cruise’s stand-in, despite the clear physical differences. Dressed in a similar outfit to Cruise’s iconic Mission: Impossible look, Stiller hilariously mimicked Cruise’s intense, action-hero persona, but with his signature self-deprecating humor. As Stiller exaggerated the physical movements and bravado of Cruise’s character, he gave fans a peek behind the curtain of just how absurd and over-the-top the action star’s stunts truly are when taken out of context.
But it wasn’t just about making fun of Cruise’s physical feats. Stiller’s portrayal was also a homage to Cruise’s dedication to his craft, a tribute that fans found both amusing and respectful.
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The Hilarious Take on Tom Cruise’s Signature Moves
What made Stiller’s impersonation so special wasn’t just his physical comedy but his ability to mock Cruise’s larger-than-life persona with an endearing sense of exaggeration.
1. The ‘Impossible’ Stunt Fail: A Moment of Pure Comedy
The first and most memorable moment in Stiller’s stunt double bit was his attempt at one of Cruise’s most famous moves: running at breakneck speed while performing a daring leap off a building. In Cruise’s Mission: Impossible films, his character Ethan Hunt has been known to perform some of the most gravity-defying stunts in cinematic history. Stiller, of course, didn’t have the training or the physical prowess to replicate the stunt in any serious way. Instead, he gave a hilarious take by dramatically leaping off a tiny ledge while flailing his arms like a panicked pigeon. The result was pure comedy gold.
As Stiller mockingly shouted out lines like, “This is a stunt for real men!” his clumsy attempt to fly through the air was met with laughter from the audience. His face, twisted in exaggerated determination, only made the moment even more hilarious.
2. The Helicopter Chase: A Ridiculous Reenactment
Another iconic scene that Stiller tried to recreate was one of the high-adrenaline helicopter chases that have become synonymous with Cruise’s action-packed movies. In Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Cruise famously piloted a helicopter through tight spaces, performing stunts that would leave even the most seasoned pilots wide-eyed with amazement.
Stiller, ever the professional comedic actor, chose to replicate the scene using a toy helicopter, with him desperately pretending to navigate it through a series of small obstacles on a stage. The sight of the actor—who is known for his less-than-graceful characters—failing to manage even the most basic movements had the audience in stitches.
What made this even funnier was Stiller’s commitment to the bit. He would tilt his body as if he were guiding the toy with the same precision and intensity Cruise would use with the real chopper. To no one’s surprise, he quickly crashed the toy helicopter, dramatically clutching his chest in mock horror. The absurdity of such a small toy helicopter being treated with such high-stakes seriousness was a brilliant comedic contrast to the high-octane action Tom Cruise is known for.
3. The Helicopter “Skydiving” Mishap
In another gag, Stiller attempted to emulate Cruise’s signature aerial stunts, such as his skydiving scenes in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, where Cruise performed a HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) jump. Naturally, Stiller didn’t have access to a plane or a parachute, so he instead used a simple cardboard cutout of a plane, mimicking the jump by hurling himself off a low platform and flailing around in mid-air like an out-of-control skydiver.
His exaggerated effort to “land safely” was a chaotic mess of limbs and comically inaccurate movements. The whole act ended with Stiller dramatically falling to the ground, not even bothering to “land” gracefully. His face, of course, was filled with mock exhaustion and triumph, adding a final layer of comedic charm to the bit.
The Response: Fans and Critics Weigh In
The reaction to Stiller’s hilarious stunt double performance was overwhelmingly positive. Fans of both Ben Stiller and Tom Cruise were delighted to see the two icons interact in such a playful and comedic way. The unexpected collaboration between the two stars was a refreshing change of pace, with Cruise himself laughing at Stiller’s antics and even joining in on the fun.
Many critics also appreciated the performance for its lighthearted tribute to Cruise’s commitment to his craft. While Cruise is known for his dedication to doing his own stunts, Stiller’s skits reminded everyone that even the most intense action sequences can benefit from a little humor. It was a clever and respectful way to poke fun at Cruise’s iconic status, while still acknowledging the tremendous skill and effort that goes into those jaw-dropping stunts.
Ben Stiller’s Stunt Double: A Hilarious Twist on a Hollywood Tradition
Ben Stiller’s portrayal of Tom Cruise’s “stunt double” was a perfect example of how the world of cinema can intersect with humor to create something special. In a world where actors are expected to push the boundaries of physicality, Stiller’s antics serve as a reminder that sometimes the most entertaining performances come not from perfection, but from imperfections. His over-the-top impersonations brought a new dimension to the idea of stunt doubles, showing that humor can be just as thrilling as the most daring of stunts.
For Tom Cruise, the collaboration was an opportunity to take a break from his action-packed career and have a bit of fun. For Ben Stiller, it was a chance to shine in a completely different light, while still playing to his comedic strengths. Together, the two created a moment that will likely go down as one of the most delightful and unexpected pieces of entertainment in recent Hollywood history.
