Cruise biographer defends book

A spokesman for the actor said the book is ‘loaded with false statements.’

NEW YORK (AP) — Andrew Morton, author of “Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography,” published by St. Martin’s Press, alleges that the 45-year-old actor ranks second in command in the Church of Scientology.

The book, which came out this week, also alleges that some Scientologists believe that Cruise’s daughter Suri was conceived using frozen sperm from Scientology founder and science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Cruise’s lawyer, Bertram Fields, said Wednesday that Morton’s book is “absolutely loaded with false statements” and “Mr. Morton should be ashamed of himself for telling such vicious lies about a child to hype sales of his book.”

The church has responded with a 15-page statement, calling the book “a bigoted, defamatory assault replete with lies” and saying Cruise “is a Scientology parishioner and holds no official or unofficial position in the Church hierarchy.”

The 54-year-old Morton, who has written books about Princess Diana, David and Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham, Madonna and Monica Lewinsky talked about his book in an interview with the AP.

Some highlights;

Q. Why Cruise?

A. When I saw him jumping on Oprah’s couch in 2005, I realized the mask had slipped. Here is this man who for years has been in control and controlling. He’s been hiding behind the mask. I thought here is a window to get an insight into this man who has come from nowhere to become one of the dominating characters in the film world and elsewhere.

Q. Did you ask Cruise to be interviewed for the book?

A. I asked Tom for an interview and he declined. The Church of Scientology has got a very controversial reputation and that is what he is linked with. An unauthorized biography would essentially be a compromise. ... I want to investigate it without any kind of fetters.

Q. Rogers & Cowan, the publicity firm that represents Cruise, issued a statement criticizing Morton for not interviewing “one person who has known or worked with Tom” in the past 25 years? Is that true?

A. Well, I’ve been working on this for the last two years. I interviewed everyone from scriptwriters to producers to actors to actresses to teachers to girlfriends to pupils to Scientologists to people who have audited him.

Q. There have been reports that you were threatened by Scientologists while making this book.

A. In fairness to them (Scientologist), they haven’t harassed me. They have sent threatening, legal messages as they are entitled to do.

Q. Cruise’s lawyer, Bertram Fields, says this book is “packed with lies.” What is your response?

A. I’ve got a reputation as a very careful biographer. ... I have spent over two years carefully researching this book. ... I think I presented a very fair and balanced portrait of an intriguing and fascinating character.

Q. How do you view Cruise?

A. I see him as a man who is linked to his faith of Scientology, someone who has transcended his role as a film star to become a Hollywood powerhouse and also someone who walks the corridors of power, meets presidents and prime ministers.

Q. You say in your book is that Cruise is second in command at the Church of Scientology. What evidence do you have?

A. Scientology would be a shadow of what it is today if it had not been for the involvement of Tom Cruise. He has been the poster boy. More than that, he has been recruiting fellow celebrities — people like Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith. ... More than that, he’s been the frontman for the organization. Not just bringing people in, but seeing all the politicians, the movers and shakers in society to proselytize for his faith. In a way, he has also compromised himself as an actor by some of his behavior and some of his attacks, for example, on Brooke Shields for taking drugs for postpartum depression. That alienated a lot of his fans, especially women.

Q. Some of your critics say that you only interviewed disgruntled, former Scientologists and not any practicing Scientologists for the book.

A. I interviewed Scientologists who have left. They are not necessarily disgruntled. They are people who have spent half their lives in the organization, reaching very high levels both of personal achievement and within the executive branch. It’s not that they all have an ax to grind. They’ve all got an insight into what goes on there and Tom’s involvement in the cause.