US actor Tom Cruise received an honorary Oscar on Sunday evening—the first Academy Award of his decades-long career—earning a standing ovation from Hollywood’s biggest stars.
To the iconic “Mission: Impossible” theme, the 63-year-old took the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, greeted by thunderous applause from industry greats including Colin Farrell, Emilio Estevez, and acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, who worked with him on Minority Report and War of the Worlds.
A four-time Oscar nominee, Cruise has never won a competitive Academy Award. In an emotional acceptance speech, he reflected on his lifelong passion for cinema, calling the big screen a place that ignites:
“a hunger for adventure, a hunger for knowledge, a hunger to understand humanity, to create characters, to tell a story, to see the world.”
Presented by Iñárritu
Cruise’s award was presented by celebrated Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu, who directs him in the upcoming film Judy.
Iñárritu opened with a playful nod to Cruise’s career:
“Writing a four-minute speech to celebrate Tom Cruise’s 45-year career is what is known, in this town, as a mission impossible.”
He praised Cruise’s dedication to his craft, adding humorously that during their latest collaboration, he witnessed what might be Cruise’s most dangerous stunt yet:
“This man ate more chili than any Mexican.”
More Honorees Recognized
The honorary Oscars—handed out annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to celebrate lifetime achievement and exceptional contribution to film—also recognized:
- Debbie Allen, actor and star of Fame
- Wynn Thomas, legendary production designer
- Dolly Parton, honored for her extensive humanitarian work
The ceremony, held during the 16th Governors Awards, was a night of celebration for some of the most influential figures in entertainment.
