Rebecca De Mornay’s performance in Risky Business positioned her as a rising star in Hollywood. Her talent was undeniable and her future seemed bright.
Yet, while her co-star Tom Cruise skyrocketed to global superstardom, De Mornay’s path took a different turn — one that few could have predicted.
Not long ago, I came across a black-and-white photo of a beautiful young woman standing beside Tom Cruise. Her look was quintessentially 1980s, and her gaze instantly captivated me. At first, I thought it might be Heather Locklear, but I quickly realized it wasn’t her. Instead, I soon learned her name: Rebecca De Mornay.
Odd upbringing
Rebecca De Mornay was born in 1959 in Santa Rosa, California. Her upbringing has often been described as unconventional — some might even say chaotic.
Her parents were Wally George, a disc jockey who later became a right-wing TV personality, and Julie George, who dreamed of becoming an actress.
When Rebecca was just two years old, her parents divorced. Her mother remarried a scientist, but tragically, he passed away when Rebecca was only five.After this loss, her mother decided to take Rebecca and her brother on a journey across Europe. They traveled around in a Volkswagen van, eventually settling in a small town in Austria, where Rebecca began school. Living like a nomad forced Rebecca to grow up quickly, and she was often seen as much older than her years.
She was courageous and mature, making her own decisions early on. By the age of 18, she returned to the U.S. to pursue a career. Initially, Rebecca had a passion for singing and aspired to make it as a folk singer or composer.
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