An unknown young man named Tom Cruise played Steve Randle, another oiler in the movie The Outsiders. He had small roles in all three movies. It's hard to believe, but there was a time when Tom Cruise wasn't one of the biggest stars in the world. Francis Ford Coppola wanted to get an authentic feel for the greasy lifestyle, so he had Tom Cruise and Rob Lowe sleep in a stranger's basement.
In addition to the questionable practice of sleeping in someone else's home, Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise were aware that Coppola hadn't done his research before sending them on their mission. The actors had to go to New York for auditions and then be carefully selected. Tom Cruise, Emilio and C. were chosen for the part.
Val Kilmer, who co-starred with Cruise in Top Gun, recently commented on Cruise's dedication in his book I'm Your Huckleberry. Tom Cruise is a bit obsessive-compulsive when it comes to washing dishes; he believes they must be scrubbed before being put in the dishwasher, which is not true.
