Tom Cruise is set to achieve yet another milestone in his career, as the actor will be awarded an Honorary Oscar at the 16th annual Governors Awards, the Academy stated on Tuesday.
The awards ceremony, scheduled to be conducted on November 16, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood, honours individuals whose careers have had a profound impact on the film industry.
The Honorary Oscars are awarded to “honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy.”
In addition to Cruise, Debbie Allen, Wynn Thomas and Dolly Parton will be honoured with the Oscar as well, with the latter receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
In an official statement by Janet Yang, president of The Academy, she said, “This year’s Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact. The Academy’s Board of Governors is honoured to recognise these brilliant artists.”
“Debbie Allen is a trailblazing choreographer and actor, whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres. Tom Cruise’s incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community has inspired us all. Beloved performer Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts. And production designer Wynn Thomas has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft.”
Widely popular for performing his own stunts, the 61-year-old has three Oscar acting nominations to his name: Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Jerry Maguire (1996), and Magnolia (1999). Despite three nominations, he hadn’t won the prestigious award until now, marking a first in his career.
Cruise has always been a passionate advocate for theatrical distribution. The 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick played a decisive role in reviving the global box office after the COVID-19 pandemic, and earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Picture as producer. Right now, the actor is basking in the success of his film, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, which is now a blockbuster worldwide, and one of the highest grossing films of 2025.
