The chemistry between Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay, on and off screen, ultimately ended her relationship with Harry Dean Stanton.

Tom Cruise has always embraced risks, almost as if he’s married to the thrill of it. So, it’s no surprise that stories of his risky businesses from the set of Risky Business continue to captivate our attention. The film that launched Cruise into superstardom, was marked by more than just that, as it is also still discussed thanks to his steamy affair with co-star Rebecca De Mornay.

Rebecca De Mornay and Tom Cruise in Risky Business | Credits: Warner Bros.

However, the romance was not without drama, reportedly leading to the end of one Hollywood couple. Here is what all went on behind the scenes!

Inside the Risky Business Behind the Scenes with Rebecca De Mornay and Tom Cruise!

Even after four decades, Risky Business still has fans buzzing with behind-the-scenes gossip, particularly about the rumored romance between Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay. The duo met while filming the 1983 classic. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, but it didn’t end there as sparks flew off-screen too.

However, De Mornay was dating actor Harry Dean Stanton at the time! The juicy details of this saga came to light thanks to co-star Curtis Armstrong, who shared the scoop in his 2017 memoir, Revenge of the Nerd: Or . . . The Singular Adventures of the Man Who Would Be Booger. He wrote (via The Hollywood Reporter),

It’s no secret that Tom engaged in an intense affair during the shooting with De Mornay. Part of the delay was caused by the presence of Harry Dean Stanton, who was involved with Rebecca. During the hours she worked, Harry Dean — an affable man and great actor — spent his days slowly swimming the length of the hotel pool, literally for hours at a time. It must have been a little galling to have your heart set on f—ing your co-star, and just when you think you’re starting to make headway, her significant other comes popping up out of a trap like a lanky, amiable Banquo’s ghost.

Curtis Armstrong in a scene with Tom Cruise in Risky Business | Credits: Warner Bros.

Judging by the whispers and statements, it seems Tom Cruise definitely had it bad for Rebecca De Mornay. Rumor has it that he was quite the player during his early years in Hollywood, but many stories about his romantic escapades often fly under the radar. This particular tale, however, is one for the books.

How Harry Dean Stanton Lost Rebecca De Mornay to Tom Cruise

Even Harry Dean Stanton’s marathon swimming sessions during filming couldn’t help him dodge the charm of Tom Cruise! Their undeniable chemistry led the actess to ultimately split from Stanton, and she and Cruise were in a relationship that lasted about two and a half years. Interestingly, even though they were a hot item, the two rarely discussed their relationship publicly.

It wasn’t until a 2023 interview with The Wrap that De Mornay opened up about her time with Cruise, offering fans a glimpse into their whirlwind romance. As she said,

It was personally jarring and thrilling and discombobulating to have become famous so quickly, I was a more complicated, mysterious presence, innately than Tom, His presence is more like, I would say, a major chord, [thinking] in music terms, and I’m more of a minor chord…America really, really loves the major chords.

Rebecca De Mornay and Harry Dean Stanton in Never Talk to Strangers (1995) Credits: TriStar Pictures

Judging by the statements surrounding their relationship, it’s tough to determine whether things ended on a good note or a bad one. Nevertheless, it’s fascinating to catch a glimpse of a side of Tom Cruise that isn’t often seen today.

Risky Business is available for rent on Apple TV.