Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American sports romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American sports romantic comedy-drama written and directed by Cameron Crowe, starring Tom Cruise as a sports agent who rebuilds his career after a moral crisis.

What it is

The film follows Jerry Maguire, a successful sports agent who writes a mission statement calling for fewer clients and more personal attention. After being fired, he tries to rebuild his career with only a few clients and support from Dorothy Boyd. It grossed about $273 million worldwide against a $50 million budget.

Key details

Released December 13, 1996, by TriStar Pictures, the film stars Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Renée Zellweger. It received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won Best Supporting Actor for Gooding Jr. The film is remembered for lines like “Show me the money” and “You had me at hello.”

Why it matters

Jerry Maguire became a cultural touchstone for its dialogue and performances, and it remains a familiar title in Canadian popular culture. It was a major commercial and critical success, cementing its place in 1990s cinema.

In short

  • Written and directed by Cameron Crowe, released December 13, 1996.
  • Tom Cruise plays a sports agent inspired by real agent Leigh Steinberg.
  • Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Cuba Gooding Jr.).
  • Known for catchphrases like “Show me the money” and “You had me at hello.”
Canadian angle

The film was released and widely distributed in Canada as a major Hollywood theatrical release, and it remains a familiar title in Canadian popular culture.

Quick questions

Is Jerry Maguire based on a true story?
It is a fictional film, though the title character was inspired in part by real sports agent Leigh Steinberg.
Who directed Jerry Maguire?
Cameron Crowe wrote and directed the film.
What awards did Jerry Maguire win?
It won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Cuba Gooding Jr. and received four other Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Maguire
    Supports: Director, cast, release date, distribution, awards, and general film overview.
  2. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/13-complete-facts-about-jerry-maguire
    Supports: Box office gross, budget, and cultural catchphrases.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/
    Supports: Plot synopsis and award nominations.
  4. TCM — https://www.tcm.com/articles/70917/jerry-maguire
    Supports: Plot summary and award nominations.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jerry_maguire
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, runtime, release date, and box office gross.
  6. Wikipedia (Norwegian) — https://www.no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Maguire
    Supports: Release date in Norway and reference to Leigh Steinberg inspiration.