AceShowbiz - Rosie O'Donnell has much affection for Tom Cruise despite their different religious beliefs. Although she described Scientology as a "scary" cult, the former "SMILF" star declared that she "will always love" the "Mission: Impossible VII" actor.

The comedienne opened up about her friendship with the 58-year-old star when appearing on SiriusXM's "The Jess Cagle Show" on Thursday, June 24. "I love Tom Cruise and I will always love Tom Cruise. I do not understand, you know, the Scientology religion. I think it's a cult and it's scary," she said.

Rosie went on to praise Leah Remini, who has long been speaking up against Scientology after years of involvement. The 59-year-old noted, "And I think Leah Remini is a hero for doing what she's done."

That aside, Rosie couldn't stop gushing over Tom for being "the only person who never misses [her] birthday." She raved, "In knowing him for 25 years now, he has never missed my birthday or an event in my life."

"Now I don't know him enough to go, 'Hey, Tommy, it's Ro -- the Scientology thing -- can we chat?' " she continued. "That's not my relationship with Tom Cruise. I don't have his home phone number. I know people think in Hollywood and celebrity, everybody knows each other, but I know him in the way that I did in that time 25 years ago."

"But every year, I think what a classy guy he is that he never has forgotten my birthday," the actress further emphasized. "A lot of people say to me, it's just his secretary, but I don't believe that. I think he knows in early March, 'Oh, it's Rosie's birthday coming up.' And he sends me something every single year for 25 years."

In December 2020, Rosie received a box of white chocolate coconut cake from the ex-husband of Katie Holmes. She even gave fans a look at the present and wrote on Instagram, "christmas is here when tommy's gift shows up #holidayseason."