Cruise was honored for his philanthropic actions in March, 2007 at a charity Gala by Mentor LA.

Tom took part in the America: A Tribute to Heroes charity telethon for victims of 9/11.

After overcoming dyslexia, Cruise became a founding Board Member for the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project, helping students learn how to read and succeed, and in 2003, received the Excellence in Mentoring Award from the National Mentoring Partnership for his work with the organization.

“It is definitely the most satisfying feeling ever,” Cruise said. “Because I look at these faces and I see these children and adults come in here and you see them change before your eyes. They’re learning how to read! But beyond that, they’re getting these tools that are going to forever put them in a position where they know that they can learn anything.”

His Tropic Thunder co-star, comedian Bill Hader, revealed in 2012 that Cruise had helped him through a panic attack and ensured that two days worth of work was completed in just 45 minutes so Bill could get home to his wife and daughter after a bomb scare in their home town. (source)

In 1996 Cruise stopped at a hit and run accident in Santa Monica, CA, rescuing aspiring Brazilian actress Heloisa Vinhas. The actor took her to the hospital and paid her medical bills.

At the 1996 London première of Mission Impossible Cruise pulled two children out of the way of an onrushing crowd. In the same year, while sailing near Capri, Cruise saved people from a burning sailboat.