In his early days in the 1980s, with his energy, youthful virility and desire for conquest, Tom Cruise was the ideal candidate for a Hollywood under Reagan's influence. The young man slipped easily into roles as a daddy's boy, even though he grew up without a father in a working-class environment. Ambitious and determined, Tom Cruise rose to fame rapidly. However, despite his talent and success, the actor alienated some critics. His total commitment to Scientology ultimately worked against him. But since the 2000s, he has reinvented himself in action films and won over audiences with increasingly physical roles.