Actress Melissa Gilbert has spoken out to crush reports Tom Cruise isn't sexually inclined - Gilbert insists he's very hot.

Gilbert, who dated the movie star when she was 17 before he rose to fame in 'Risky Business', "heartily disputes speculation" that there was no sex in the now shattered 10-year marriage between Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

Gilbert says, "I can honestly say that he's a very sexual person. He gave me butterflies in my tummy, and there was a lot of making out on the couch in my mom's living room."

The actress, who was once engaged to Rob Lowe, and has also dated actor Dylan McDermott, says she's now happily married, but she realizes all too well how anyone can have marital problems.

She says, "Like any piece of fine machinery, a marriage needs maintenance."