Who He Plays: Movie producer Les Grossman Who He Really Plays: A mix of real movie producers Sumner Redstone and Stuart Cornfeld So covered in latex and fake hair is Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder that no one recognised the actor until he was credited in the closing credits. The character he plays, Les Grossman, is the studio exec overseeing production on war movie Tropic Thunder, and is so monstrous and foul as to seem totally unreal. Apparently, though, Cruise took inspiration from a pair of producers, one of whom (Sumner Redstone) he'd clashed with publicly, and another (the real Tropic Thunder producer, Stuart Cornfeld) on whom he'd based Grossman's appearance. It was, according to director Ben Stiller, all the idea of Cruise, who suggested a studio head be incorporated into the film, and who made the dancing, make-up and gigantic prosthetic hand choices all by himself. Which "stolen" performances by actors did we miss out? Let us know in the comments below.
Lover of film, writer of words, pretentious beyond belief. Thinks Scorsese and Kubrick are the kings of cinema, but PT Anderson and David Fincher are the dashing young princes. Follow Brogan on twitter if you can take shameless self-promotion: @BroganMorris1
