What actor plays Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible films?

What actor plays Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible films? Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt. The character is the central IMF agent in the film series, which began with 1996's Mission: Impossible, directed by Brian De Palma.

Cruise has portrayed Hunt in every theatrical Mission: Impossible film. The role combines espionage skills with unusually physical action work, including climbing, diving, motorcycle stunts, and high-altitude sequences. Cruise is also a producer on the series, helping shape its increasingly ambitious practical set pieces.

A common mix-up is confusing Ethan Hunt with other famous movie spies. Daniel Craig played James Bond, Matt Damon played Jason Bourne, and Brad Pitt has played several action characters, but none of them is Ethan Hunt. The character's recurring team includes Luther Stickell, played by Ving Rhames, and Benji Dunn, played by Simon Pegg.

The film version of Ethan Hunt is distinct from the television series, which centered on Jim Phelps and an ensemble of IMF agents.