Doctor Apologizes For Tom Cruise Remarks, Attacks Attorney 6/12/08

A Hollywood doctor who questioned Tom Cruise's mental health has offered his apologies for upsetting the actor.

Dr. Drew Pinsky came under fire from Cruise's attorney Bert Fields after suggesting the movie star might be mentally ill in a Playboy editorial.

The medic, who fronts hard-hitting U.S. TV show Celebrity Rehab, speculated that Cruise's Scientology beliefs could be a result of childhood "neglect." Fields has since blasted Pinsky, calling him "unprofessional" and "unqualified".

In a statement released on Thursday (12Jun08) a spokesman for the doctor said, "Dr. Drew meant no harm to Mr. Cruise and apologizes if his comments were hurtful."

Defiant Pinsky has now taken aim at Fields for his comments after the lawyer called the doctor a "posturing flake" who "pretends to diagnose people he's never met." Pinsky's rep adds, "Although Mr. Fields intent is clearly to slander and discredit Dr. Drew, under no circumstances is Dr. Drew making a blanket diagnosis about Scientology nor Mr. Cruise, whom he does not know.

"Dr. Drew was simply using Mr. Cruise as an example of someone who is recognizable to help the public understand."