Tom Cruise has once again proved why he’s Hollywood’s ultimate daredevil. In what might be the boldest stunt of his legendary career, the 61-year-old actor has set a Guinness World Record for the most burning parachute jumps by an individual, completing the death-defying feat 16 times for the final chapter of the Mission: Impossible franchise.
According to Deadline, the jaw-dropping stunt—performed for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning—saw Cruise jump from a helicopter 75,000 feet above Drakensberg, South Africa, each time with a fuel-soaked parachute set ablaze. After leaping into the air, he would release the flaming chute and deploy a backup to land safely.
“Tom Doesn’t Just Play Action Heroes – He Is One”
“Tom doesn’t just play action heroes – he is an action hero!” said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records. “His absolute focus on authenticity and pushing the boundaries of what a leading man can do is what makes him one of the greatest of all time.”
Cruise reportedly trained with his stunt team for weeks, carefully choreographing every detail to prioritize safety while still delivering adrenaline-fueled spectacle. Despite the flaming parachute, the actor remained calm and calculated throughout, saying, “We’re gonna be real smart. I’m not saying be risky. We don’t take risks… obviously.”
A Cinematic First—And a Personal Best
What makes this record even more impressive is the behind-the-scenes footage released alongside the news. A special featurette reveals all 16 burning jumps, some of which were captured with a 50-pound Snorri camera rig strapped to Cruise’s body to capture the intensity of the stunt from close-up angles.
Cruise has long been known for performing his own stunts, from hanging off planes to climbing skyscrapers, but this achievement cements his place in cinematic stunt history. This is the first time anyone has pulled off such a stunt for film—let alone multiple times—and with Cruise’s trademark fearlessness.
The Final Reckoning, But Not the End?
While The Final Reckoning marks the supposed end of the Mission: Impossible saga, Cruise’s commitment to pushing the envelope leaves fans wondering what could possibly come next. Whether or not Ethan Hunt’s story continues, one thing is clear: no one does it like Tom Cruise.
