Tom Cruise finally gets an Oscar with an honorary win at the Governors Awards

Tom Cruise added another milestone to his legendary Hollywood journey as he received an Academy Honorary Award at the 16th Governors Awards in Los Angeles. The ceremony, held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, marked a rare moment of recognition for the 63-year-old star, who despite decades of box-office dominance has never won a competitive Oscar.

Cruise accepted the honour from filmmaker Alejandro G Inarritu, with whom he is developing an upcoming film scheduled to release in October 2026. The actor used his time on stage to reflect on his lifelong commitment to cinema, telling the audience that movies have shaped every part of his life.

The Governors Awards, presented annually by the Academy’s Board of Governors, spotlight artists whose contributions have left a lasting impact on the industry. This year’s event also saluted choreographer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas, both of whom received honorary Oscars for their decades of work behind the scenes. Dolly Parton was named the recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, though she was unable to attend due to health issues.

Unlike the Oscars ceremony, the Governors Awards are not televised and are more intimate in scale, but they hold considerable prestige within the industry. The honours presented fall into three major categories: the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Academy Honorary Award, the last of which carries full Oscar status.

Cruise’s recognition comes at a time when Hollywood is preparing for a new wave of projects from the actor, who continues to remain one of the industry’s most bankable and enduring figures.