Cruise control
Unlike Mark Ruffalo, Tom Cruise knows how to protest in style:
Tom Cruise has returned his Golden Globe Awards to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a source close to the actor told CNN on Monday. Cruise won the best actor Globes for his performances in "Jerry Maguire" in 1997 and "Born on the Fourth of July" in 1990, and the best supporting actor award for "Magnolia" in 2000.
Chloe Melas, CNN
The "Mission: Impossible" star had his three Golden Globe trophies returned to the HFPA headquarters Monday, a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly tells USA TODAY. That's two best actor Globes ("Jerry Maguire" and "Born on the Fourth of July") and one best supporting actor award ("Magnolia"). It was a power move for the hugely influential Hollywood player, says Clayton Davis, awards editor for Variety. "From everything that happened today, Tom Cruise’s actions were the most meaningful," says Davis. "It's so telling that Tom Cruise, who has no Oscar, no SAG Award and no BAFTA Award, decided his three Golden Globes needed a return label. It's so important because it can’t be just Blacks and Latinos speaking out about what’s happening in Hollywood."
Bryan Alexander, USA Today
From the media reports that I found online, there was no mention of a big announcement from Cruise or his representatives. No pontification, no flexing for Twitter clout. Simply a personal message to the HFPA. The announcements that I'm aware of were from anonymous close sources who were speaking off-the-record. A cynic might think that the leaks were sanctioned, but that's cynics for you. (wink)
That's the way to do it, Ruffalo! Without proselytising, chest-thumping, or big-I-amming. Just quiet conviction.