Tom Cruise Finally Receives His First Oscar at Star‑Studded Governors Awards
Hollywood icon Tom Cruise has been honored with his first-ever Oscar, receiving an Honorary Academy Award at the 2025 Governors Awards.
The 63-year-old actor accepted the prestigious accolade to a standing ovation at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, surrounded by peers including Steven Spielberg, Colin Farrell, and Emilio Estevez.
A Career Recognized
Cruise, who has been nominated for Oscars four times over decades of work, had never before taken home a statuette.
The Honorary Award is in recognition of his remarkable 45-year career, spanning blockbuster hits like Risky Business, Top Gun, and the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Emotional Acceptance Speech
In an emotional address, Cruise reflected on the power of cinema and how it shaped his life. He recalled his childhood discovery of movie theatres, “that beam of light … cut across the room”, and said the experience ignited a hunger for adventure, knowledge, and storytelling.
He also emphasized cinema’s power to connect people, saying:
“The cinema … helps me to appreciate and respect differences. … In that theatre, we laugh together, we feel together, we hope together … making films is not what I do; it is who I am.”
Cruise pledged to continue supporting the art form, championing new voices, and protecting the theatrical experience, all while joking about his physical risks performing stunts: “hopefully without too many more broken bones.”
Presented by Iñárritu
The award was presented by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu, who commended Cruise’s precision and passion, describing his work ethic and screen presence as “meticulously choreographed … flowing like gas.”
Other Honorees
Alongside Cruise, the Academy also recognized:
Debbie Allen, celebrated choreographer, actor, and producer
Wynn Thomas, veteran production designer
Dolly Parton, who received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her charitable work.