Actor Greg Tarzan Davis made a special appearance in New York during an exclusive screening of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hosted by Rolling Out. The event also featured the unveiling of Davis’ digital cover with the magazine, followed by a live Q&A moderated by Rolling Out founder Munson Steed.
Davis, who stars alongside Tom Cruise in the latest installment of the action franchise, spoke candidly about the significance of joining a billion-dollar franchise and how it connects to a dream he’s had since childhood.
“It’s a blessing to be a part of Mission: Impossible as well as Top Gun: Maverick,” Davis said. “It’s something that I’ve dreamed of since I was a child. I guess I didn’t really understand what the figure of a billion dollars would be like. But I knew I wanted to be in films that were going to be seen across the world, across the globe.”
He recalled a moment while filming Dead Reckoning in Rome.
“We had the streets shut down, extras, cop cars, and Tom Cruise right next to me. I looked around and said, ‘Damn, Tom, you made my dream come true.’” He remembers being in his mom’s living room, pretending to be a secret agent—now he’s actually living it, filming in countries around the world. He says that was “one of hundreds of pinch-me moments” he’s experienced while chasing his dream as an actor.
In addition to discussing his booming career, Davis also spoke directly to young people living in ‘this instant society of social media,’ sharing that doing the work is where longevity lies.
“But these young kids nowadays, we had this conversation recently. Y’all are lazy. Y’all are lazy, man. And y’all are living in this instant society of social media and things that everything you see on social media comes quick and rapid, and you see the glitz and glamour, and you don’t understand that it’s not necessarily real,” he shared. “You think if you post one video, you become viral, you become famous and rich instantly, but that’s not how it goes. A lot of people don’t want to be assistants. A lot of people don’t want to do interns…It’s so important for you to start shadowing, because that’s where longevity comes at.”
Davis also touched on a memorable encounter with Angela Bassett, who offered him words of wisdom that he says have stuck with him.
“She told me, ‘Everybody’s always watching—whether they’re above you or under you. Everybody’s either looking up or looking down to you. And you need to make sure you’re always putting your best foot forward.’ That’s what sustained her career for so long. That’s why everybody loves her.”
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters on Friday.
