Tom Cruise Receives Honorary Oscar at Governors Awards Ceremony

Los Angeles, CA — Tom Cruise was awarded an honorary Oscar during the 2025 Governors Awards on November 16. This marks the first official Academy Award in the actor-producer’s extensive career.

The award was presented by director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who recently worked with Cruise on an upcoming film set to release in October 2026. In his acceptance speech, Cruise expressed deep gratitude for the art of cinema and everyone involved in its creation.

“The cinema, it takes me around the world. It helps me to appreciate and respect differences. It shows me also our shared humanity, how alike we are in so, so many ways,” Cruise said. He added that in theaters, people can share laughter and hope, emphasizing the unifying power of film.

Echoing on his lifelong passion for movies, Cruise said he remembers a pivotal moment from his childhood. “I was just a little kid in a darkened theater…Suddenly, the world was so much larger than the one that I knew. It sparked a hunger for adventure, a hunger for knowledge…it opened my eyes,” he recalled.

In addition to Cruise, choreographer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas were also honored at the ceremony. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award went to Dolly Parton, who delivered her acceptance via a pre-recorded message.

As actors including Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio attended the event, Cruise was seen dancing with Allen in celebration. His speech received a standing ovation, with heartfelt applause from the audience.