One of the things that makes Tom Cruise so successful is that he works harder than just about anyone, ever.

Director Doug Liman lived with Tom while they were making the 2017 movie "American Made".  Now, Tom's birthday is July 3rd, and the holiday weekend was coming up.  So Doug asked him if he was going anywhere to celebrate.

But Tom said that since they had the 3rd off, he thought they could use it to have an eight-hour aviation meeting that they were having trouble scheduling.

Doug says, quote, "I am beyond tired and I'm like, 'You want to have an eight-hour meeting on your birthday? He said, 'Yes, that's what I want for my birthday.  I want to be making a movie.  That's the best birthday present.'"

Tom didn't even want a cake, because he doesn't eat it.  Doug says, quote, "You don't get to look the way he looks, by eating birthday cake.  You have to make a life choice there."