Tom Cruise Finally Gets His Oscar: Hollywood Star Receives Honorary Academy Award
In a long-awaited recognition of a legendary career, Tom Cruise has received an Honorary Academy Award. The Hollywood icon was presented with the award at the 16th Governors Awards in Los Angeles on November 16, 2025, finally securing an Oscar after decades as one of the film industry’s most bankable and dedicated stars. The 63-year-old actor was celebrated not for a single role, but for his lifetime of contributions to cinema and his staunch advocacy for the theatrical experience.
A Career-Defining Honor
Despite being one of the most famous movie stars in the world, Cruise had never won a competitive Oscar. He received three acting nominations for his powerful performances in Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Jerry Maguire (1996), and Magnolia (1999), and a Best Picture nomination as a producer for the blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick (2022).
The Honorary Oscar serves as a capstone for an actor whose name is synonymous with blockbuster filmmaking. Upon accepting the award from director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Cruise described filmmaking as a core part of his identity. “Making movies is not what I do, it is who I am,” he told the audience, reflecting on his childhood wonder at the cinema.
A Night of Tributes and Standing Ovation
The ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom was filled with A-list attendees who gave Cruise a sustained standing ovation lasting roughly two minutes as he took the stage. A tribute montage highlighted his incredible career, from early hits like Risky Business and Top Gun to the death-defying stunts of the Mission: Impossible franchise.
In his speech, Cruise emphasized the power of shared cinematic experiences, stating, “In that theatre we laugh together, we feel together, we hope together.” He also paid heartfelt tribute to the collaborators throughout his career, noting he carries them “in every frame of every film I have ever made or will make.”
A Champion for the Big Screen
This award holds particular significance as it acknowledges Cruise’s role as a modern champion of the movie theater. At a time when streaming dominates, Cruise has consistently delivered films designed for the big screen, often performing his own dangerous stunts to create unparalleled audience experiences. His successful push for the theatrical release of Top Gun: Maverick was widely credited with helping to revitalize cinema attendance post-pandemic.
The choice of presenter also sent a strong message about Cruise’s future. Alejandro González Iñárritu, an acclaimed director, is currently collaborating with Cruise on a new project slated for 2026. Iñárritu introduced Cruise with high praise, hinting, “This may be his first Oscar, but from what I have seen and experienced, this will not be the last.”
Legacy and Looking Forward
While this Honorary Oscar celebrates a lifetime of work, it also signals that Cruise’s journey is far from over. The award recognizes his unique status as one of the last classic “movie stars,” whose global appeal and commitment to practical filmmaking have defined his four-decade career.
True to form, Cruise ended his speech with a mix of passion and his trademark humor, vowing, “I will always do everything I can to help this art form … hopefully without too many more broken bones, that would be nice!”
The 2025 Governors Awards also honored choreographer and producer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas with honorary Oscars, while country music icon Dolly Parton was recognized with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
