Tom Cruise says he feels at home on a movie set

Tom Cruise and his children Conner and Isabella approve of a soccer play during a Los Angeles Galaxy match with Chivas USA last month.

CHICAGO - A movie set is one of the places Tom Cruise feels most at home.

The 45-year-old actor appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday to celebrate his career. It's been 25 years since the release of Risky Business - and the iconic scene of him dancing in his underwear.

It was the second of a two-part appearance with Winfrey.

Cruise said when he starts a new project, he's nervous beforehand, but that quickly subsides.

"There are some places that I know I belong, and on a movie set is one of them. And I get really excited, because it's something that I want to be great. I want to entertain that audience. I want the movie to work," he said. "I love every aspect."

For Friday's broadcast, Winfrey visited Cruise at his Telluride, Colo., home. That interview centered on more controversial subjects, including his belief in Scientology, critical remarks he's made about antidepressants, and rumors about his family.

During both appearances, Cruise appeared calm and relaxed - a far cry from his May, 2005, appearance on the show, when he jumped on Winfrey's couch as he proclaimed his love for Katie Holmes, who is now his wife.

Yesterday's broadcast featured clips from Cruise's movies and taped well-wishes from people who have worked with Cruise over the years, including Steven Spielberg, Jamie Foxx, Renee Zellweger, and Dustin Hoffman, who starred with Cruise in Rain Man.

"It's a tribute that they thought you handsome enough to be my brother in that film," Hoffman said.

Winfrey asked if Cruise's career is now bigger than he ever dreamed it could be.

"Way bigger," he said. "As you go along you think, 'OK. How can I keep challenging myself more?' There's always something else. And I so love being on that movie set."

Cruise has received Oscar nominations for his roles in Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia.

"I'm actually surprised how much I've accomplished, and I feel really privileged to be able to do what I do. And I thank you all for allowing me to entertain you," he told the audience.