Who is Tom Cruise’s first wife? Mimi Rogers introduced star to Scientology
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tom Cruise has been married thrice during his lifetime. His first wife is American actress Mimi Rogers, who tied the knot with the actor in 1987 and parted ways with him in 1990. After their split, the 'Mission: Impossible' star married Nicole Kidman (1990-2001) as well as Katie Holmes (2006-2012). Several years after her own divorce from Cruise, Rogers wished the actor and Holmes "the best" at the time of their split in 2012.
"I wish them both the best. There's not much else to say. I really do, though. I wish them the best," Rogers reportedly told US Weekly at the time. Shortly after, she also reflected on marriage and friendship during the New York premiere of 'Hope Springs' and said, "I think marriage is hard work no matter what. I think it's about first and foremost being great friends." While Rogers sent Cruise and Holmes her best wishes, several reports suggested that the latter sought comfort in Cruise's second wife, Kidman, after the split. "She has been a private friend not many people know about. She told Katie her life is great now and she has no regrets," a source told the press at the time.
Mimi Rogers' career
Rogers was born on January 27, 1956, in Coral Gables, Florida, to civil engineer Philip C Spickler and dance and drama major Kathy Talent. Rogers was associated with Scientology since childhood as her father became a Scientologist before her birth. After graduating high school, she eventually began working in a hospital for incapacitated patients in Palo Alto, California.
She also spent six years as a part-time social worker involved in substance-abuse counseling. Rogers began her Hollywood career by studying acting with Milton Katselas for nine months. Some of her early TV roles include guest appearances on ‘Hill Street Blues', ‘Magnum, PI’ and ‘Hart to Hart'. She also appeared in the TV movie ‘Hear No Evil’ before making her feature film debut in the 1983 sports comedy, ‘Blue Skies Again'.
Rogers worked as a series regular on ‘The Rousters’ between 1983 and 1984 and also played the role of supermodel Blair Harper-Fenton in ‘Paper Dolls'. She appeared alongside Michael Keaton in the 1986 film ‘Gung Ho’ and earned her breakthrough after being cast opposite Tom Berenger in ‘Someone to Watch Over Me'. The actress also garnered fame with her work in ‘Desperate Hours’ and ‘Full Body Massage'.
Rogers got her greatest acclaim for her role in the 1991 religious drama ‘The Rapture', with critic Robin Wood dubbing it “one of the greatest performances in the history of the Hollywood cinema.” Some of the actress’ other notable roles include her work in films like ‘Lost in Space', ‘Reflections on a Crime', ‘Hope Springs', ‘Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery', ‘The Mirror Has Two Faces', ‘For a Good Time, Call...', ‘Ginger Snaps', and ‘The Door in the Floor', among others.
The 67-year-old has also appeared in TV shows like ‘The X-Files', ‘Two and a Half Men', ‘Wilfred', ‘Mad Men', ‘The Loop', and ‘Weapons of Mass Distraction'. Rogers had the recurring role of attorney Honey Chandler in ‘Bosch', from 2014 to 2021. She reprised her role in the 2022 spin-off ‘Bosch: Legacy'. In addition to acting, Rogers has also dabbled in poker. She reportedly played poker as a teenager and took up competitive poker in 2003.
She finished in the money at the World Poker Tour’s 240-player Shooting Stars’ main event No-Limit Texas hold ‘em tournament in 2004. The actress also finished in the money in 33rd place at the $1000 Ladies' No-Limit Hold 'em World Series of Poker event in 2006. Rogers also served on the board of directors of the World Poker Tour.
How many times has Mimi Rogers been married?
Rogers has been married three times. In addition to her three-year marriage to Cruise, she tied the knot with Jim Rogers on August 21, 1976. The actress also assumed her first husband’s surname but the pair parted ways in 1980. Rogers was also reportedly in a relationship with Emilio Estevez. The actress walked down the aisle with Cruise on May 9, 1987.
However, the couple separated by the end of 1989 and their divorce was finalized in 1990. That same year, Rogers met her third and present husband, producer Chris Ciaffa, on the set of Ivan Passer’s film ‘Fourth Story'. The couple welcomed their daughter, actress Lucy Ciaffa, in 1994 and son, ASU baseball player Charlie Ciaffa, in 2001. The pair finally tied the knot in 2003 and has been together ever since.