Attacks on Tom Cruise are 'painful' for Will Smith too

Washington, Jun 28 : American actor Will Smith has defended his pal and actor Tom Cruise's belief in Scientology in a new interview with USA Today.

According to Smith, the criticism that 45-year-old Cruise has been receiving for his Scientology faith has been very disturbing for him too.

"It's painful for me to see. I've met very few people committed to goodness the way Tom is," Usmagazine.com quoted him as saying.

Smith, 39, is rumoured to have converted to Scientology after speaking out about the controversial religion, though he was raised a Baptist and confesses to still be a Christian.

"We disagree on a lot of things," said Smith, who attended Nelson Mandella's 90th birthday in London on Wednesday.

"But even with different faiths and different beliefs, at the end of the day, goodness is goodness," he stated.

The I Am Legend star says their friendship thrives on rivalry, and that at the moment they are competing to see who can sign autographs longer.

"It's hard to beat that dude," Smith said.

"He has another gear. He did two-and-a-half hours in France for Mission: Impossible on the red carpet. Now when I go to France, people will say, 'You know, Tom was out here for two-and-a-half hours'," he added.

ANI