Here's hoping Tom Cruise's 51st birthday on Wednesday, July 3 is happier than his 50th: This time last year, the superstar was shooting Oblivion in Iceland, and privately reeling from wife Katie Holmes' surprise divorce filing after less than six years of marriage. (The parents to Suri, now 7, famously settled their split within the same month.)
The Jack Reacher star was photographed zooming out of Chateau Marmont on Tuesday evening on a motorcycle; his birthday plans as yet are unknown. "Tom has definitely made some changes to his life over the past year since the divorce," a Cruise source tells Us Weekly. "He's actually a lot more relaxed and more extroverted," the insider continues, noting that the often reclusive star has been spotted over the past year supporting son Connor at various DJ gigs and attending high-profile basketball games in L.A..
"Now that he's single he wants to get out there a bit," adds a second pal. Still, like his ex-wife Holmes, 34, Cruise has yet to step out with a new love. "He's dated a few girls, but very casually."
One very important lady in his life, of course, is Suri. "Tom still sees her and speaks to her on the phone," the first source says of Cruise's youngest, who lives with her mom in NYC. (The actor also spends quality time with Isabella, his 21-year-old daughter with ex Nicole Kidman.)
As Cruise enters his second half-century, expect a mellower version of the famously turbo-charged actor. Says the second insider: "Since the divorce, he's spent some time reflecting and actually letting go."
