Case study - Stars

In this case study we have been studying stars from the past and the present, finding both similarities and differences within them.

As my case study I chose the actors Cary Grant and Tom Cruise, as they both have the familiar factor of being the 'heart throb' of there time! 

1) Filmography and most famous films

Cary Grant has been in a total of 74 films throughout his career, from 'This is the night' in 1932 to 'Walk don't run' in 1966. Some of his most recognisable films are 'His girl Friday', 'Bringing up baby', and 'Topper'.

Where as Tom Cruise so far in his career, 1981, has been in a total of 39 films. Most well known for his role in 'Mission Impossible' and 'Oblivion'.

2) Box office success 

Cary Grants most successful box office taking was with the film 'Notorious' with a total of £24,464,742, where are Tom Cruise's most successful taking was the film 'Mission Impossible-Ghost Patrol' earning £694,713,230.

3) Attachment to any studios or production companies

Cary Grant was firstly signed with Paramount studios however the majority of those films were unsuccessful, so he then in 1936 he signed with Columbia Pictures. This was the turning point of his career as he experienced many successful films with that studio, such as 'Topper' in 1937. Then in the mid 1950's, Grant created his own production company 'Granart Productions'.

For a long time, Tom Cruise had been signed with Paramount Studios but was then dropped. He now currently is a producer as well as an actor for the United Artists Corporation (UA).  

4) Press and public persona

Both Cary Grant and Tom Cruise were/are still known for their leading roles, more commonly associated as a heart-throb or a bachelor. Furthermore, Cary Grant was also known as Mr Lucky, some one who inspired many people to want to be like him. Where as Tom Cruise went through a strange period in his career, from having many adoring fans to dropping them, however he is currently regaining his popularity with the female fan base.  


5) Awards and nominations

Cary Grant: He has won 9 awards but has also been nominated and not won a total of 19 awards, including 2 Oscars.

Won:
-1970 ~ Honorary award (academy awards USA)
-1960 ~ Best foreign actor (BAFTA awards)
-1942 ~ Most cooperative actor (Golden apple awards)
-1966 ~ male star (Laurel awards)
-1964 ~ top male star (Laurel awards)
-1959/1960/1963 ~ top male comedy performance (Laurel awards)
-1960 ~ motion picture (walk of fame)

Tom Cruise: He has a won 37 awards so far in his career, and has been nominated and not won a total of 55 awards, including 3 Oscars.

Won:
-2000 ~ Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Golden Globe)
-1997 ~ Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical (Golden Globe)
-1990 ~ Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (Golden Globe)
-2002 ~ Best actor (Saturn award)
-1996 ~ (American Cinematheque award)
-2005 ~ Excellence in film (Britannia award)
-2007 ~ Courage (Valkyrie 2008) (Bambi)
-2000 ~ Favourite Supporting Actor - Drama (Blockbuster Entertainment award)
-1997 ~ Favourite Actor - Comedy/Romance (Blockbuster Entertainment award)
-2005 ~ (Distinguished achievement in performing arts)
-2000 ~ Best supporting actor (CFCA award)
-1990 ~ Best actor (CFCA award)
-2005 ~ (Special David)
-2003 ~ Best actor (Empire award)
-2004 ~ Best film actor (EMMA)
-2000 ~ Best ensemble cast Magnolia (1999/shared) (FFCC award)
-1994 ~ (Man of the year)
-2000 ~ Mission Impossible II (producing/acting in the film) (Special silver ribbon)
-1989 ~ Best supporting actor Rain man (1988) (KCFCC award)
-2001 ~ (Wannabe award)
-2005 ~ (MTV generation award)
-2001 ~ Best male performance for Mission Impossible II (MTV movie award)
-1997 ~ Best male performance (MTV movie award)
-2004 ~ Funniest American in japan (MTV movie award)
-1999 ~ Best acting by an Ensemble Magnolia (1999/shared) (NBR award)
-1996 ~ Best actor (NBR award)
-1997 ~ (Nova award)
-1994 ~ Favourite dramatic motion picture actor (People's choice awards)
-1990 ~ Favourite motion picture actor (People's choice awards)
-2006 ~ Most tiresome tabloid targets (Razzie award)
-1995 ~ Worst screen couple (Razzie award)
-1997 ~ Best performance by an actor in a motion picture comedy or musical (Golden satellite award)
-1987 ~ Box office star of the year (special award)
-1986 ~ Motion picture (Star on the walk of fame)

6) Key roles and character types

Cary Grant, similar to Tom Cruise, often played the handsome bachelor in Romantic comedies. However Tom Cruise also is well known to play the protagonist in action/adventure movies.


7) Genres of film associated with the star

Cary Grant: Comedy/Romance
Tom Cruise: Comedy/Romance/Action/Adventure


8) Roles within filmmaking other then star e.g. Director or producer
In the mid 1950's Cary Grant created his own production company called Granart Productions, similarly like Tom Cruise who is a producer as well as actor at UA studios.

9) Length of film career
Cary Grants Film career began with his first film in 1932, "This is the night", until his last film in 1966, "Walk don't run". Where as Tom Cruise's Film career is still going, but began with his first film "Endless love" in 1981.