Tom Cruise grew up Poor.

Back in 1991, Reader's Digest excerpted an in-depth investigative piece from Time magazine entitled Scientology: The Cult of Greed. Among other things, the article asserted that the Church "is a highly profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner."

According to well-placed sources at the magazine to ensure Tom Cruise's cooperation, the Digest's reporter, Meg Grant, promised to give "Scientology issues" equal play in her profile of the star, and agreed to enroll in a one-day Church "immersion course."

Before the interview took place, Radar Magazine sources say, the magazine also agreed to submit its questions for Cruise to his Church handlers, who weeded out any queries they deemed inappropriate. The Church is thrilled with the resulting story, Radar Magazine hears. Meg Grant denied providing her questions in advance but admitted she was indeed put through an immersion course in Scientology, but that it was a surprise. Read all the juicy details at Radar Magazine (kisses)

Read Tom Cruises Reader's Digest Article.

His dad abandoned his family, and he grew up poor. But he stuck close to his mom and sisters, and transformed himself into the biggest movie star in the world. He couldn't read, and teachers said he was dyslexic. But Cruise wouldn't accept that, and finally found the answer he needed -- in church.