Tom Cruise Finally Wins His First Oscar at Star‑Studded Hollywood Ceremony
After decades in the spotlight, Hollywood actor Tom Cruise received his first-ever Oscar Sunday evening. The honour came in the form of an Honorary Academy Award, presented during a glitzy ceremony at the Dolby Theatre.
Cruise, a four-time Oscar nominee who had never won competitively, was met with a standing ovation from industry peers, including co-stars Colin Farrell, Emilio Estevez, and acclaimed director Steven Spielberg.
In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Cruise reflected on his lifelong passion for cinema. He described the big screen as a constant source of inspiration, stirring in him “a hunger for adventure, a hunger for knowledge, a hunger to understand humanity … to tell a story, to see the world.”
The award was presented by Alejandro González Iñárritu, who is currently directing Cruise in an upcoming film slated for 2026. Iñárritu joked that writing a four-minute tribute for Cruise’s 45-year career felt “like a mission impossible.”
Cruise used his speech to reaffirm his commitment to cinema, saying filmmaking is not just a job, “it is who I am.” He promised to champion new talent and help preserve what makes theatrical film powerful, “hopefully without too many more broken bones.”
Also honoured at the event were actor-choreographer Debbie Allen, production designer Wynn Thomas, and country music icon Dolly Parton, who received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.