Marie Rudisill - The Fruitcake Lady on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Tom Cruise

[@HarshMelon]

Jay is like your dad, making silly jokes with Grandma. Tom is your date, desperate to make a good impression. And Grandma's not taking any crap off of either one of them.

[@BCSBB]

Watching in 2024 and I’m dying of laughter 😂 😅🤣😂

[@peggyvick935]

I’m old enough to remember this hilarious show! Still the best event EVER! Long live the Fruitcake lady!

[@anitajinfla9762]

Im 60.. I remember this episode. She was hilarious here. Smacking Tom's hands just crack me up... 🤣 RIP to The Fruitcake Lady! What a sweet treasure she was..😊

[@paulettelarose-richards2942]

Hi Peggy. This as so funn5. Puts a smile on my face

[@looneymoongirl7167]

She passed in 2006

[@davemattia]

Tom Cruise kissed her -- but that's what happens when a fruitcake helps an old lady make a fruitcake.

[@pkh6965]

Love how even though he’s a pretty famous guy she didn’t cut him any slack! Lol! She was a gem!

[@nancyviti4141]

​@@serenitysmith352 .. ffg,.n

[@coly4ever]

Tom showing Jay how to treat an old lady 😄

[@beoz658]

I never made a fruit cake in my life, come on man. That is hilarious.

[@tas22222]

What a gem of a lady, kudos to whomever discovered her !! she is comedy gold and a spitfire thru and thru !!!

[@beverlymiller525]

She's hilarious oh my God my stomach is killing me from laughing

[@jworth7203]

She slapped Tom Cruise’s hands! 😂😂😂

[@jabo2168]

He was such a flirt!

[@stephaniespear8323]

Don't feel like it! Go home!

[@allisonquerze7941]

5:54 - Can you believe it?! It was shockingly hilarious!

[@teresah.6696]

She gave Jay and Tom hell and smacked the crap out of Tom's hand... 😂

[@justicewillprevail1106]

I miss the talk shows back then.

[@peggyvick935]

Yes! It was real comedy instead of this nutty Woke crap!

[@davidthomas8258]

I can honestly say that I can see this as being representative of three generation of a family. The fruitcake lady is the grandma. Jay Leno is the middle aged adult. Tom cruise is the young adult just getting started in life. This could be a scene from the preparations for a family reunion. 😁😁😁😆😆😆

[@arlenemulqueeney5464]

Hysterical I was in tears. Watching his.🎉

[@JNMKlover]

I don't wanna make u sad, but u will NEVER find this level again, on tv.

[@Sobolady89]

Loved the Fruitcake Lady. She was always hilarious.

[@sondrasmith2691]

But she could sometimes get a little raunchy with her language

[@tomservo75]

@@sondrasmith2691 Hey, that's the point. She's 91 she can say whatever the f**k she wants :). I also heard on the show that she was Truman Capote's aunt.

[@SM-zi4tj]

“I never made a fruitcake in my life” lol

[@ljc3484]

Tom was at the height of his handsomeness. That smile!

[@jefffuhrman7903]

This is when tv was still worth watching.

[@veryb.4217]

I'm dying laughing, I don't understand a lot of what she says because English is not my first language, I'm Italian, but I understand enough to have tears in my eyes, never laughed so hard.

[@d.b.4201]

She called Tom a Bum!!! Rofl!! 😂

[@bennyboogenheimer4553]

If you know who Foghorn Leghorn was, then you recognize his girlfriend Miss Prissy. This woman was TV gold.

[@jayceec3178]

So funny. Tom has the best smile and laugh! Always has. He’s such a nice guy, not once did he try to take the limelight away from the fruitcake lady, whereas most young celebrities would try to be the main person in the video.

[@Jim-bh7gs]

Damn, he is STILL VGL, and who knew he was so normal and down-to-earth? God rest the Fruitcake Lady,she was hilarious here. Over 20 years ago.

[@jennifer1980]

I love this lady! Tom Cruise is Absolutely Beautiful ♥️

[@tanyaladorkalina]

I remember watching this! I laughed so hard I damn near pee'd my pants! What a precious woman! And Tom Cruise...my God the man was / is beautiful! Good lord.

[@TaraNewhole]

I completely plan to be like her when I’m old. 🤣😆💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@JNMKlover]

Promise u will keep it real.

[@wendyboyd2355]

Me too

[@wendybaier9368]

I couldn’t stop laughing 🤣She is Fabulous!! How sweet were Jay and Tom!!! Loved this.

[@1980bwc]

She was great. For those who dont know, she was also the Aunt of the famous author Truman Capote. She also helped raise him.

[@1991Meka]

I wish she could've been my grandma..such a spitfire❤

[@jenniferdilts1350]

I guarantee that is one lady Tom will never forget. They looked like they had so much fun

[@MsMonaliza22]

I stumbled upon Fruitcake Lady I FB. Came here to find more. Double pleasure! First one in the search had Tom Cruise! This was so awesome. RIP dear lady.

[@Glorygirl777]

What a spitfire she was!! So hilarious.

[@thomsonsmith95]

Hello Jeanie How are you doing today?

[@Glorygirl777]

@@thomsonsmith95 I am well and I hope you are. Take care!

[@rochellediaz3035]

Tom looks so good in his beard. 💕🤸😘

[@hanschristianbrando5588]

Marie Rudisill also wrote a biography of her famous nephew ("Truman Capote," subtitled "The Story of His Bizarre and Exotic Boyhood By an Aunt Who Helped Raise Him") which he called "all a lie"; "I never had any relationship with this aunt at all." She seemed to do pretty well for herself, having appropriated the fruitcake recipe. That was clearly one funky family.

[@stephaniel9545]

@5:55 the slap of the century

[@cynthiasmith4130]

This is classic tv.... Bring back great 📺!!!!! Hilarious!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣....

[@thomsonsmith95]

Hello Cynthia How are you doing today?

[@LunaRain01]

Ah bless, she died in 2006 at aged 96

[@Carolineinzion]

Thank you I was wondering

[@patriciaalva1156]

I love the fruit cake lady. Mr cruise as far as I know was raised by a southern woman who taught him good southern manners. Now Jay on the the other hand has a little bit of a twisted sense of humor like me. Jay if you're out there late night hasn't been the same since you've been gone. Miss you Jay!!

[@Hun_Uinaq]

I thought he was from Canada.

[@natashaclarence4142]

This was so beautiful!!!

[@tanyaladorkalina]

Thank you for posting this!

[@pdgf]

Tom is a true gentleman and the last great Hollywood Star! Haters be damned!

[@patriciajones4206]

And Tom is 2nd in power next to the leader and true defender of a human trafficking cult, but please go on and defend him.

[@linagregori5186]

He's a cultist

[@angelli4394]

I have to agree, Tom Cruise is a gentleman. Jay Leno, however is a schmuck, going for the cheap shots.

[@patriciajones4206]

@@angelli4394 Yeah, riiiight, a gentlemen who hasn't seen his daughter Suri in years.

[@angelli4394]

@@patriciajones4206 🤡

[@sdd1563]

Oh my God! I told you not to mess with that that hole! Can't you pass up a hole without putting something in it? 😂😂😂😂😆😆😆

[@hannahmontgomery3680]

I miss the old Tom cruise

[@jayceec3178]

The old Tom? Tom is just as charming, nice looking, great personality as he always has been and had. He has made a career out of entertaining us with some of the best movies ever. Thank you 🙏🏼 Tom.

[@anujoseph_10]

He's still nice. He spends hours talking and clicking pics with fans. Which other superstar does it? None.

[@fritzy1819]

This lady is Truman Capote's aunt. Please watch A Christmas Memory with Geraldine Page. It's amazing! Narrated by Capote and it's about how he and his Aunt made fruitcakes every year for Christmas gifts!

[@sassyfras4085]

That's interesting 🤔, may have to check that put

[@pallmallred13]

Loved her💕❤️💕

[@islandfocus2]

I remember this show... I can't believe that this was 21 years ago.

[@so_blow]

...and that is why women of that generation had 10 kids! LOL! They knew how to flirt!

[@susanmulvey6311]

Tom (who is so handsome), was very respectful to the Fruit Lady! And Jay was hilarious as usual! Miss Jay’s show!

[@topcover7390]

What a sweet moment.

[@gingerbenken27]

Aww. Isn't that just the cutest 🥰

[@ameliafroehlich2577]

She's adorable!

[@ChrisJamesProject]

This woman was a true gem!

[@lynnie6120]

Back when late night talk shows were funny!

[@thumper6425]

Was always a good time when this lady was on 💜

[@sandrab.4704]

Simply Amazing 🤩!!!

[@thomsonsmith95]

Hello Sandra How are you doing today?

[@raean5377]

I miss Jay Leno! 😢

[@2Chabs]

She slapped Tom Cruise! 😂😂😂

[@sondrasmith2691]

"I never made a fruitcake in my life." Lololol just toooo much!

[@tammyrichey3126]

That was hilarious.

[@dianabraley8307]

Tom is so humble here. Scientology has created a monster now.

[@carmensandiego7749]

Agree. And Scientology is a monster. Tom already was in up to his eyeballs

[@47imagine]

Oh ffs, he's still humble. As an agnostic, I think all religions can create monsters.

[@annmariebright3864]

Talk about something you know about

[@tommyudo3195]

I have no idea if he's a monster, but why take a lovely moment like this one and turn it into something mean and vicious? He was humble here. That's good enough for me.

[@rm5337]

He was already into scientology at that time. He got into it when he married Mimi Rogers years before.

[@kimporter1744]

Tom is gorgeous!!😍😘💋❤

[@angelsflight1837]

That's the young man we were all head over 👠 fo. He is still Cool but we know more about him than we really should in my opinion.

[@parentsbasement7734]

Religion aside ol Tom knows how to make people feel as good as they can while in his presence as they can. He's cordial until the person makes him not be. Seen a few interesting interviews where guys have strayed and tried prying and he stops things and says we can have a great time or I can leave and they always want him to say.

[@johng1634]

This was so genuine and wholesome.

[@wendiemorell2543]

When she smacked Tom's hand!! 😂😂

[@ashish_sunny]

Just like what Aunt May did to Norman in Spiderman 😂😂

[@sondrasmith2691]

"Did you put the egg shells in there with the eggs?" Lolololol

[@thomsonsmith95]

Hello Dear How are you doing today?

[@jodidaniels4192]

😂😂😂 this is some of the funniest shit I’ve ever seen 😂😂😂

[@angelsflight1837]

I so love THAT JAY CARRIED ON THIS TRADITION OF JOHNNY'S. MAD RESPECT FOR YOU JAY. LOVE JOHNNY.

[@natavanabbasova3616]

Tom is so handsome

[@agulloviolette781]

Vous magnifique tous les 3 😊❤️

[@deborahfreyre3252]

OMG she is so hilarious 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@RhiannonBugher-rf7oz]

She was gold😂💛

[@Emmespupsnbugz]

"I never made a fruitcake in my life" 🤣

[@staceykelly4211]

Before Tom was jumping on couches. He was absolutely flawless. Charming, humble, and SO handsome.

[@WillThisLast]

I watched that the night it aired back then. I remember this but don’t remember any other guest or performance. lol

[@danceskatehorse]

Absolutely adorable! I don’t like fruitcake, however if it was made by Tom….now that’s a different story! ❤

[@AP-qk3we]

Her comedic timing was good 😁

[@kellimartin4667]

I love this woman. I AM her, right now and I'm only 50! Lol

[@sandyc.5017]

She is a Gem...

[@cynthiasmith4130]

She is so cute!!!! So smart for 91!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤💯💯💯💯.....

[@cassiewilson1433]

Awwwww wowww I love this

[@chippyl3331]

OMGSH !She is hysterical!!🤣🤣🤣

[@pattyoneill6724]

I remember her and was funny!

[@sharaoleary4618]

tom cruise he is my favorite movie actor i really really want to meet tom cruise to i am his biggest fan to

[@SandiRose2008]

OMG! She was hilarious!! 'I never made a fruitcake in my life!' 🤣🤣 Just for the record, I'm one of the few people who loves fruitcake!!

[@sassyfras4085]

I love to look at them at Christmas 🎄 because they are so pretty and festive, not a fan of the taste. Although you could use one as a brick if need be, lol 😆

[@SandiRose2008]

@@sassyfras4085 😆 A brick or a door stop!!! But, you know what, my mother would help my grandmother make them every Christmas. She made them like nut cakes. That way the cake dough was lighter. They also cut up the fruit into smaller pieces. Her cakes were the best ever. I've never tasted a fruit cake as good as hers!!

[@sassyfras4085]

@@SandiRose2008 Awe awesome memories ❤️

[@moomoobosshogg973]

I love this Lady I couldn't stop laughing

[@mauryvictoria1801]

Early 2000s TV dude I miss it

[@friedaschnell3729]

This was back when there were people that liked Tom Cruise. That ended.

[@rhondabaroli2683]

Gotta love her ! Namaste love and light

[@thomsonsmith95]

Hello Rhonda How are you doing today?

[@jim2823]

Comedy GOLD!

[@martiwest2594]

Damn this is so much funnier than any late night junk of today!😅😅😅 I like Jimmy Fallon but he’s just not inthe same league Jay!

[@carolelamm]

She sounds just like my Grandmother in NJ sounded!

[@LeadStarDude]

Her attitude and spunk reminds me of my great grandmother who raised me. 😅

[@debbiefu5385]

Tom was the most beautiful ever here

[@fullautoknight]

Notice how men treated women back then. Class, respect, appreciation of the female role and the matriarch. Society doesn’t promote that anymore because of the government.

[@suzannebenz8928]

mY, mY!

[@bethhendricks5567]

Tom was so good natured!

[@CountofBeretania]

5:54 Tom….PUT THAT DOWN!

[@teresajones3967]

she said she never made a fruitcake in her life 😂🤣

[@olgatrilogymartin3143]

The minute he became a Scientologist he list me !! Lol

[@5Gburn]

Best. Guest. Ever.

[@pameladamaris3204]

That was hilarious! 😂

[@myrasmiley3513]

How precious 😍

[@arajoanesayakreuk5522]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@SurahOnline]

*TOM* ❤😍😍😍😍😍😍