Canadians Abroad: Tom Cruise lookalike Jerome LeBlanc makes a living as Top Gun’s Maverick

Jerome LeBlanc is the “go-to guy” when it comes to playing Top Gun’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Courtesy California Tom Cruise

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Quebec City-born Jerome LeBlanc plays Top Gun’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell for a living, creating a thrill-seeking Tom Cruise persona so authentic, the movie star himself might do a double take.

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The 38-year-old Canadian actor has been playing California Tom Cruise for 17 years. But he plays it safe in real life. LeBlanc has his phone on speaker for an interview on the drive to Yuma, Ariz., to meet up with his professional wingman, Brian Ernst. Ernst plays Val Kilmer’s Top Gun Iceman to LeBlanc’s Maverick.

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LeBlanc calls himself a “Maverick interpreter,” rather than an impersonator.

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“I literally, I think, bring people back in the ’80s,” said LeBlanc. “It’s like being an illusionist and it’s mixed with nostalgia, which is a very powerful feeling.”

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He makes more than 200 appearances a year, mainly promotional events around Southern California. He’s often hired for events like Kansas City Barbecue, where scenes from Top Gun were shot. He also works outside the decommissioned aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway in San Diego as Midway Maverick, posing for photos with kids and families.

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When I met him at a travel media conference in Anaheim several years ago, people couldn’t get enough of his take on Cruise, right down to the signature laugh. They patiently lined up to pose for thumbs-up photos with him.

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Like Cruise, he’s slightly built. When LeBlanc took off his ever-present aviator shades, he’s less of a ringer. Could he be even better looking than the young Cruise?

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I can make the comparison because I’ve seen Cruise up close. We met for a one-on-one interview in a Toronto hotel when he was promoting historical thriller Valkyrie in 2008. LeBlanc could be his Top Gun twin, right down to the perfect smile.

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“I bring back the feeling of such an impactful movie in the ’80s. Top Gun was a huge hit and (he) was a huge crush for many women. So, I use that to bring back that lovin’ feeling,” LeBlanc said.

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Jerome LeBlanc plays Top Gun’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell for a living while Brian Ernst, who is an Arizona insurance broker in real life, takes on Val Kilmer’s Iceman role for promotional events. Courtesy California Tom Cruise

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The lovin’ feeling seems strong, judging from the enthusiastic reaction when LeBlanc strides in dressed in a circa-1986 Top Gun-style flight suit. Or maybe he’ll wear one of 50 tight white T-shirts in his closet underneath a leather jacket covered with colourful flight patches. He never forgets the aviator shades.

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Then there’s that Tom Cat grin. He’s grateful to his mom for finding the money for braces when he was a 21-year-old, gap-toothed architecture student. LeBlanc credits his Montreal-area orthodontist with kick-starting his career. The braces came off et voila! Tom Cruise and that 1,000-watt grin.

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His mother also encouraged his acting aspirations.

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“My mom always believed in everything is possible. And she says, go for it. And she really gave me that idea that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve it and the power of manifestation,” said LeBlanc.

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He transferred to UCLA to finish school and tried to break into acting.