9 JULY 2001
Hollywood’s A-list turned out in force on Saturday night to celebrate Tom Cruise’s 39th birthday. Lounging in the soft leather booths in Santa Monica’s upscale Buffalo Club, everyone from his Vanilla Sky co-star and rumoured paramour Penelope Cruz to Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr toasted the Mission Impossible star, who took a moment out from filming the long-awaited Minority Report with Steven Spielberg.

Tom’s sister LeeAnne organised the bash, welcoming Meet The Parents star Ben Stiller and Jim Carrey to the posh bar. Director Cameron Crowe, who worked with Tom on both Jerry Maguire and the upcoming Vanilla Sky, was among the 200 show business types and friends on hand as Tom – dressed in skin-tight leather trousers – blew out the candles on an enormous chocolate cake.

But it was Spanish stunner Penelope that drew the most attention. “Penelope looked gorgeous,” said one onlooker. “Tom is going through a tough time and was thrilled Penelope was there to celebrate his birthday with him.” Though the Woman On Top star has denied any romance with the Hollywood heavyweight, the two were said to have got on famously at Saturday’s festivities.

Tom’s divorce from actress Nicole Kidman is ongoing, and recent reports suggest that he has agreed to the Aussie’s 50-50 demands on their fortune. Jointly, the two are rumoured to be worth an estimated £340 million.