Tom Cruise has finally joined the league of Oscar winners — receiving his first-ever Academy Award in the form of an Honorary Oscar at the 16th Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. The prestigious recognition celebrates his lifelong contribution to cinema and his unwavering advocacy for theatrical releases.
Presented by acclaimed director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the award marked an emotional moment for Cruise, who delivered a heartfelt speech about the timeless power of movies and their ability to bring people together.
“Making films is not what I do, it’s who I am… no matter where you’re from, in a theater we laugh, we feel, we hope together, and that’s the power of this art form,” Cruise said as he accepted the honor.
The star-studded ceremony also celebrated Debbie Allen, Wynn Thomas, and Dolly Parton, with Hollywood heavyweights including Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio in attendance.