Tom Cruise Receives First Oscar – An Honorary One – at Governors Awards
LOS ANGELES, CA – After decades in hollywood and four previous nominations, Tom Cruise finally received an Oscar on Sunday evening. The award, however, was an honorary one, presented at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Awards ceremony.
The 63-year-old actor was honored for his storied career and contributions too the film industry, taking the stage at the Dolby Theater to a standing ovation from his peers. Attendees included Colin Farrell, Emilio Estévez, and director Steven Spielberg, who previously worked with Cruise on “Minority Report” and “War of the worlds.”
The presentation was accompanied by the iconic soundtrack from Cruise’s “Mission Impossible” franchise. Despite being nominated for competitive Oscars as an actor for “Born on the 4th of July,” “Jerry Maguire,” and “Magnolia,” and as a producer for “Top Gun: Maverick,” this marks his first Academy Award.
Visibly moved, Cruise expressed his gratitude, stating, “My love for cinema started at a very young age.” He described the big screen as a source of inspiration, fueling “a hunger for adventure, for knowledge, for understanding humanity, for creating characters, for storytelling, for discovering the world.” He added, “It opened my eyes.”
Cruise is widely regarded as one of the last remaining major movie stars capable of drawing large audiences to theaters.He was particularly credited with revitalizing the film industry following the pandemic with the blockbuster success of “Top Gun: Maverick,” in which he reprised his role as a fighter pilot.
The Governors Awards also recognized actress Debbie allen (“Fame”), production designer Wynn Thomas, and country music icon Dolly Parton for her humanitarian work. Parton, 79, delivered a message via video due to health concerns, stating, “We didn’t have much to share, but my parents taught me that the more you give, the more blessings you receive.” She referenced her Dollywood Foundation, which supports education and social causes. Parton recently postponed six concerts scheduled for December in Las Vegas until September 2026, also due to health reasons.
(AFP)
