For all her 22 years, Dakota Fanning has worked with some of the most respected actors during her career in Hollywood.
Which is why when Fanning appeared on the always enjoyable Watch What Happens Live to “chop it up” with Andy Cohen, she had plenty of secrets to reveal about her famous co-stars, from Denzel Washington to Robert Pattinson.
Of the anecdotes that Fanning shared, the sweetest might have been the story she shared about Tom Cruise, who she appeared with in 2005’s War of the Worlds.
According to Fanning, who considers Cruise a “lifelong friend,” she’s received a birthday gift from the actor every year since she was 11 years old.
“He has sent me a birthday gift every year since I was 11 years old,” Fanning said. “Beautiful gifts.”
Now, more than a decade later, Fanning sometimes wonders if it will stop.
“I always think, ‘Oh, when I’m 18, he’ll probably stop. Oh, 21, he’ll stop. But every year. It’s really kind.”
Of course, Cohen asked Fanning to divulge what these “beautiful gifts” were and surprisingly enough, the answer was fairly sensible, with Fanning revealing that “it’s usually shoes.”
Here’s to Tom Cruise, action star extraordinaire and pragmatic, thoughtful gift giver.
Watch the full interview below.
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Write to Cady Lang at cady.lang@timemagazine.com