US actor Tom Cruise has been presented with an honorary Oscar, marking the first golden statue of his 45-year career. The 63-year-old received a standing ovation from Hollywood peers at the Dolby Theatre for his contributions to the film industry.
Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s most enduring and bankable stars, was awarded an honorary Oscar on Sunday evening by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The award recognises his decades-long career and significant impact on the film industry.
The four-time Oscar nominee, who has never previously won a competitive Academy Award, was greeted with a standing ovation from an audience that included former co-stars Colin Farrell and Emilio Estevez, as well as director Steven Spielberg.
As the familiar strains of the “Mission: Impossible” theme played, Cruise took to the stage at the Dolby Theatre, delivering an emotional speech that underscored his lifelong passion for cinema.
He described the big screen as a unique space 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.”
Tributes from Peers
The award was presented by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu, who directed Cruise in the upcoming film Judy.
Iñárritu offered a humorous tribute to the actor’s extensive filmography. “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 joked.
He added that the evening celebrated “not just a filmography; we celebrate a lifetime of work.” Iñárritu also light-heartedly referenced the actor’s intense approach to roles, claiming he had witnessed Cruise perform his most dangerous feat yet: consuming “more chili than any Mexican.”
The annual honorary Oscars celebrate film legends for their careers and contributions, distinct from the competitive awards. Other recipients on the night included actor Debbie Allen, production designer Wynn Thomas, and country music icon Dolly Parton, who was honoured for her humanitarian work.
