It took four decades, countless death-defying stunts, and billions in box office revenue, but Hollywood’s “Top Gun” finally has his gold.
On Sunday night (Nov 16), 63-year-old Tom Cruise received an honorary Oscar at the Academy’s Governors Awards in Los Angeles. For a man who has spent his life chasing adrenaline, the moment was surprisingly tender. After a highlight reel spanning from 1981’s Taps to 2025’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, an emotional Cruise accepted the statuette, telling the room: “Making movies is not what I do, it’s who I am.”
A Champion of Cinema
Cruise, who has previously been nominated four times but never won, used the platform to double down on his commitment to the theatrical experience. “I will always do everything I can to help this art form,” he said, before cracking a joke about his stunt work: “Hopefully without too many more broken bones.”
The award was presented by director Alejandro González Iñárritu, who is currently directing Cruise in a new film set for 2026—a collaboration that suggests Cruise might still be gunning for a competitive acting Oscar in the near future.
Legends Honoring Legends
Cruise wasn’t the only icon celebrated at the Ray Dolby Ballroom. He shared the spotlight with three other industry titans, and in typical Cruise fashion, he dedicated part of his speech to praising each of them in detail.
- Debbie Allen: The legendary choreographer, actor, and producer finally received her due. Presented by Cynthia Erivo, a tearful Allen thanked the room for her “glorious golden moment,” joking that holding the statuette felt like she and Oscar had just “got married.” Even Allen couldn’t resist a nod to Cruise, fondly recalling his famous underwear dance in Risky Business.
- Wynn Thomas: A production design pioneer known for his work on Spike Lee films like Do The Right Thing and Malcolm X, Thomas gave a moving speech about his journey from a rough childhood in Philadelphia to working with cinema’s greats.
- Dolly Parton: The country superstar was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her massive contributions to literacy and education. Though she couldn’t attend due to a scheduling conflict, her 9 to 5 co-star Lily Tomlin accepted the award with a hilarious tribute, sharing stories about their on-set slumber parties and praising Parton as “the most authentic person I have ever known.”
The Room Where It Happens
Since the Governors Awards aren’t televised, the vibe was intimate yet packed with A-list power. The event served as the unofficial kickoff for the upcoming awards season, with potential nominees like Leonardo DiCaprio, Ariana Grande, Dwayne Johnson, and Sydney Sweeney looking on from the banquet tables.
