>My favourite Tom Cruise movie is, by far, "War of the Worlds" by Spielberg, I loved that movie but I know that many people disliked it.

The only movie where he didn't play himself is, IMO, "Minority report". There was a director who actually got him to do some work, and it turned out alright.

Anyone can play a role of himself (if male) or herself (if female). Now there's a whole legal issue with very interesting repercussions if ever an actress was denied the role of himself based on gender.