Tom Cruise Sues Gay Porn Actor

May 3, 2001 -- Tom Cruise is involved in a blockbuster lawsuit that sounds more like a script for a saucy Hollywood drama.

Cruise has issued a $100 million defamation suit against porn star Chad Slater, who goes by the stage name Kyle Bradford, after Slater reportedly told a French paper he had a gay love affair with Cruise that resulted in the breakup of his 11-year marriage to Nicole Kidman.

"While Cruise thoroughly respects others' rights to follow their own sexual preference, he is not a homosexual and had no relationship of any kind with Kyle Bradford and does not even know him," the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles contends.

Cruise has a solid track record in court. He and Kidman successfully sued the British tabloid the Daily Express after it reported their marriage was a "sham." The couple donated the money they were awarded to charity.

Cruise Goes to Court, Kidman Preps Premiere

Slater has made a series of porn films and graphic, gay-themed wrestling videos. The lawsuit says Slater told the French magazine Actustar he had, "a continuing homosexual relationship during Cruise's marriage and that the relationship was discovered by Cruise's wife, who ended the relationship."

According to the Associated Press, Cruise's attorney, Bert Fields, said Actustar has agreed to publish a retraction.

Kidman has said she does not know what prompted Cruise to file for divorce in February. She's currently promoting her new film Moulin Rouge, and is quoted in papers today saying she's ready for her next romance.

"No matter what your experience is, no matter what your past, no matter what goes on in your life — you can still fall in love," Kidman told London's The Mirror.

Moulin Rouge opens the Cannes Film festival May 9 and premieres in the U.S. May 18.

Rumors, Rumors, Rumors

Since the couple met on the set of Days of Thunder, they have been one of Hollywood's most-publicized duos, with tabloids consistently poking holes in their union.

The headlines questioning their marriage have only increased since Cruise filed for divorce in February, citing irreconcilable differences. Was it Cruise's Scientology, an extra-marital affair, or just the stresses of two career-driven individuals, the newspapers, magazines and television shows have asked.

The divorce case is still pending, but for Cruise and Kidman the focus now is on their two adopted children, 6-year-old Connor and 8-year-old Isabella.

Cruise's divorce lawyer, Dennis Wasser, issued a statement Wednesday that "the children are his life and he will always provide for them and their security. Tom will provide Nicole with one-half of the community property, consisting of tens of millions of dollars."

"Tom said to me 'She's the mother of our children and I will always wish her well,"' Wasser said.

Kidman is expressing similar sentiments in The Mirror. "Both Tom and myself are still very dedicated to not making them part of Hollywood. We want them to experience life and create their own identities based on who they are, not who their parents are," said Kidman.