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Tom Cruise was Upset with Studio Exec Over Divorce from Scientologist Wife

Tom Cruise
Wenn

Tom Cruise was infuriated with a Paramount Pictures executive he believed was attacking his Scientologist faith during the studio boss’ 2003 divorce.

From 1992 to 2006 Tom, 54, and Paramount had a lucrative partnership agreement, with their relationship resulting in major hits including the Mission: Impossible franchise and Steven Spielberg’s version of War of the Worlds.

John Goldwyn, the studio’s former president of production, has revealed his 2003 divorce from actress and Scientologist Colleen Camp and a custody battle over their daughter poisoned relations between himself and Tom.

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Tom got very upset because he thought I was launching a campaign against Scientology, and he felt I was persecuting him for his religion,” John tells the New York Post’s Page Six gossip column. “Tom was rabid about it and said, ‘It’s because of people like you that I have to ride in a bulletproof car and why I cannot practice my faith openly.'”

John tells the newspaper that what caused the star’s anger was a claim in his divorce papers that his estranged wife was using her faith to “alienate the affection” of their child.

One of the accusations Scientology critics level at the religious movement is the allegation that followers are encouraged to cut off contact with family members who defy the church.

The dispute was settled by Paramount Chief Executive Officer Sherry Lansing who intervened to explain that John, who came out as gay during his divorce, was simply trying to ensure he could see his daughter rather than attack Tom’s faith.

In fact, after settling their differences, John says the actor intervened to ensure his divorce was over quickly, after proposing the estranged couple agree a swift settlement.

Tom Cruise was responsible for bringing my divorce to a close. It is a great Hollywood story,” the executive explains.

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Although Tom and Paramount chiefs ended their partnership in 2006, they have since patched up their differences, with the action star currently working on a sixth Mission: Impossible film, due out next year (18).

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