Actor Tom Cruise is known for performing his own stunts in movies…and let’s face it, there have been some pretty dangerous stunts in the “Mission Impossible” films.

One of those stunts has now earned him a spot in the “Guiness Book of World Records”.

During the filming of “Mission Impossible: The Final reckoning” Cruise needed several takes for the scene involving a burning parachute – 16 of them.  That stunt and its numerous shots earned Tom Cruise the most “burning parachute jumps by an individual” in the “Guinness Book of World Records”.

SPOILER ALERT!

Cruise needed skills as a pilot and skydiver to pull off the stunt…
In the scene with Esai Morales as Gabriel, Cruise as MIF super agent Ethan Hunt, the two are flying 1940’s era biplanes as they battle for the “Entity” – a rogue artificial intelligence – over the Drakensberg mountain range in South Africa.

Cruise falls from his burning plane and his parachute bursts into flames when deployed and he must go to the backup chute as he tumbles toward the ground.

The actual dive is done from a helicopter with a presoaked chute set on fire and a backup.  Some of the 16 shots included a 50 pound camera rig to film Ethan Hunt’s death defying feat close up.

According to the “Guinness Book of World Records”, “no other actor stuntman has come close to that amount of death-defying drops.”

World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday added, “Tom doesn’t just play action heroes — he is an action hero!  A large part of his success can be chalked up to his absolute focus on authenticity and pushing the boundaries of what a leading man can do. It’s an honor to be able to recognize his utter fearlessness with this new Guinness World Records title.”

The 62 year old Syracuse native considered a life in the priesthood when he was younger; in fact, he had entered the seminary at age 14.  Since becoming an actor, he has been a part of the most films that have grossed at least $100 million at the box office; another “Guinness Book of World Records” entry.  According to “Forbes” magazine, the film companies have made a very good investment; earning eleven dollars for every one they paid Cruise.