Jamie Lee Curtis says Tom Cruise 'isn't the only one who saved' cinema as her movies have 'made $2.5 billion' at the box office

• Jamie Lee Curtis made a remark about Tom Cruise on Tuesday's "The Late Late Show with James Corden."
• Curtis said that the "Top Gun: Maverick" star "isn't the only one who saved show business."

Jamie Lee Curtis thinks there's enough room — and money — in Hollywood for more than one actor to be credited with saving cinema.

Appearing on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" on Tuesday, the "Everything Everywhere All At Once" star appeared to shut down Corden's praise of her at the beginning of the show, humbly telling him that she wasn't there to "talk about myself" or promote the sci-fi adventure, which has netted an impressive 11 Oscar nominations.

However, Curtis' feigned modesty was all part of an elaborate skit, as she jokingly reeled off some of her most recent accomplishments.

"I know you guys think I'm here — I'm sure you do — to promote the best movie of 2022," the good-humored star said.

As the audience cheered and whooped, she added: "Which as you know, may not just be the best movie of 2022, but the best movie of a generation."

"With the best performances," Corden interjected, praising Curtis' costars Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu.

"Of course, with the best performances," Curtis continued. "And I'm sure you're thinking I'm here to promote the fact that I won a SAG Award this weekend and that I was nominated for an Oscar after being in the business since I was 19 — I'm now 64, do the fucking math — but I'm not here to promote that."

Curtis then appeared to make a pointed remark about the fact that Cruise has been repeatedly labeled the savior of cinema after "Top Gun: Maverick" became the biggest box-office earner since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide.

"I'm not here to talk about the fact that my movies have made $2.5 billion in box office and that Tom Cruise isn't the only one who saved show business," she said.

While it's not known how Curtis — who has appeared in more than 50 films since she made her debut in "Halloween" (1978) — landed on the $2.5 billion number, according to Box Office Mojo, the actor has been in some pretty profitable movies over the years.

"Knives Out" (2019) remains her highest-grossing film, making $312,897,920 globally, while the horror film sequel "Halloween" (2018) follows behind with $259,939,835. Body-swap comedy "Freaky Friday" (2003) grossed $160,846,332, and the espionage action flick "True Lies" (1994) made $146,282,411.

"Everything Everywhere All At Once" has grossed $104,633,785 globally.

As for what Curtis eventually revealed that she wanted to talk about? It turns out that she wanted to come on the talk show to bid farewell to Cordon, who will be wrapping up his time on the "Late Late Show" at the end of April after eight years.

"I'm here because you're a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful human being. You're a great fucking host and we're going to miss you," she said, almost tearing up.

"I've been here with you many times, and you are just a great human being and that is the only reason I came here."