Tom Cruise's celebrity mates have spoken out in defense of the actor, following the mauling he’s received in the press recently.

Tom has long been the butt of jokes thanks mostly to his 'bizarre' religious beliefs.

However, the recent publication of Andrew Morton’s controversial biography & the leaking of his pro-Scientology video has served to intensify the media backlash against the actor.

Now stars such as Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman and Ben Stiller are rallying round their pal and speaking out in Tom's defense.

Here’s what they have to say about Tom's treatment in the new issue of People:

Adam Sandler: "To see anyone's private life invaded and mocked like this is sickening. It's especially gross when it happens to a guy like Cruise, who's a great dad, a great husband, and a great friend."

Dustin Hoffman: "Tom Cruise is an American and has the right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion."

Dan Snyder (Washington Redskins owner): "Tom is a winner. That's a fact. He is a terrific actor, a terrific father and a terrific person. I'm proud to be his friend."

Ben Stiller: "Imagine having a baby and people talking about it the way they did. People lose sight of the fact that Tom Cruise is actually a person. I feel for him."