Tom Cruise’s burning parachute stunt earns Guinness World Record

Tom Cruise, 62, has set the record for “most burning parachute jumps by an individual” after jumping out of a helicopter 16 times with a parachute pre-soaked in fuel and lit ablaze, before cutting away the charred remnants of the first chute and safely deploying a backup.

“Tom doesn’t just play action heroes – he is an action hero!” said Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records editor-in-chief in a statement. “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 honour to be able to recognise his utter fearlessness with this new Guinness World Records title.”

For the sequence, filmed in Drakensberg, South Africa, Cruise and the stunt team ascended more than 7,500 feet before the action star jumped out of a helicopter with the flaming parachute, cutting himself free to deploy a backup parachute. The first parachute would burn for between 2.5 to 3 seconds before completely disintegrating, and for several of the takes, Cruise even had a 50 lb. snorri camera rig attached to his body for a closer shot of the stunt.

Tom Cruise is a licensed skydiver and he completed hundreds of jumps in preparation for his latest stunt. And this is not Cruise’s first Guinness World Record. He holds the record for the actor with the most consecutive $100-million-grossing movies. In total, the Top Gun star has been credited in over 30 films that have broken the $100 million mark at the box office.

OneRepublic announce 2026 Australian tour

OneRepublic will return to Australia in February 2026 for The Sweet Escape Tour, their first visit in three years. The Grammy-nominated band, led by Ryan Tedder, will play five major arena shows in Sydney, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Joining them on all dates is Swedish pop star Zara Larsson, making her long-awaited Australian live debut.

OneRepublic debuted in 2002, and their breakout hit “Apologise” sold over 20 million copies and earned them a Grammy nomination. Their latest album, Artificial Paradise, dropped last July, followed by a deluxe edition featuring Jelly Roll and acoustic versions of fan favourites.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure update

Sunblink has released a big new update for Hello Kitty Island Adventure on Apple Arcade, with Switch and PC versions coming soon. The update kicks off the “Under the Sea Celebration” on May 29, now available for PC and Switch players for the first time. Running until July 3, players can collect Mermaid Scales by popping bubbles on the beach to trade for aquatic outfits and scuba gear.

The 2.6 update, titled The Biggest Challenge, introduces new quests, a talent shows in City Town, and an epic ride atop Icy Peak. It’s live now on Apple Arcade, with Switch and PC release dates to come.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 14, 2025