Tom Cruise dines with legends on Sir Michael Caine’s big day
<p>Tom Cruise has spent the night with fellow industry heavyweights while out for dinner for Sir Michael Caine’s 90th birthday. </p>
<p>The evening marked the first time that the 60-year-old actor, best known for his work in <em>Top Gun</em> and <em>Mission Impossible</em>, was spotted publicly since his absence at the 2023 Oscars was noted - while his film was nominated for Best Picture, Cruise was not in attendance at the event. </p>
<p>He was one of a few select guests at Caine’s birthday celebrations, with the 90-year-old screen legend host welcoming the likes of Cruise, David Walliams, screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie, and Denise Welch to his private dinner at the River Cafe in London. </p>
<p>Author and comedian Davia Walliams immortalised the gathering by sharing pictures with keen fans to his social media accounts, a series of snaps he captioned “Happy 90th Birthday to the legendary Sir Michael Caine.”</p>
<p>“I have no idea why it brings me so much joy to see Tom Cruise & you hang[ing] out together for Michael Caine's birthday, but it does,” one eager supporter wrote. “Thanks for sharing!”</p>
<p>“Looks like a fun night. Sorry I couldn’t make it,” joked another. </p>
<p>“Easy to see why he skipped out on the Oscars,” one said. “He knows where the real power lies.” </p>
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<p>Meanwhile, actress and TV personality Denise Welch took a slightly different approach to showcasing the party, opting instead to post a clip of a joke for mature audiences she’d shared with the party, writing that it was “such an honour to be asked by Shakira to say a few words at Sir Michael Caines’ 90th birthday!!! He loves a dirty joke and so does @tomcruise it appears!!!!” </p>
<p>Her fans loved it, with one quipping “Tom Cruise skipping the Oscars to watch Denise perform stand up was not on my 2023 bingo card.” </p>
<p>Denise liked the comment so much she later tweeted a headline that quoted it, calling it her “favourite headline ever.” </p>
<p>“No way is that Tom Cruise & Michael Caine.... just fainted. I can't imagine being at the same table as Hollywood Royalty,” another admitted on the original post, starstruck. </p>
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<p>In both posts, it appears that Cruise was seated right next to Caine for the celebration, with many voicing their surprise that the two were friends. </p>
<p>The pair have never technically appeared together in a movie, but both actors did have parts in the 2002 film <em>Austin Powers in Goldmember</em>. However, Cruise’s role was only a cameo at the beginning of the comedy, while Caine portrayed Nigel Powers. </p>
<p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>