Tom Cruise, for the first time ever, received recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as he took to the stage to accept his Honorary Award at the just-wrapped Governors Awards. The recognition is a milestone in the actor-producer’s storied career-he had been nominated for three Oscars, yet had never taken home an Academy honor. Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, with whom Cruise is currently at work on a new film, presented his award.
In his emotional acceptance speech, Cruise saluted filmmakers from around the world and recommitted himself to making films of value. “Making films is not what I do, it is who I am,” he said, reflecting on a lifetime commitment to the craft. He remembered taking any job he could find early in his career to be around filmmaking, saying with a laugh, “When I didn’t have enough, I just figured out a damn other way to get in that theatre.”
Cruise underscored the unique power of movies to bring diverse people together, and he added that he always thinks about audiences when making films. Addressing his reputation for doing daring stunts, he said with a laugh, “I will always do everything I can to support and champion new voices, to protect what makes cinema powerful — hopefully without too many more broken bones.”
Tom Cruise makes a promise after receiving his first-ever Oscar
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 17, 2025
“I want you to know that I will do everything I can for this art form, to support and champion new voices, to protect what makes cinema powerful. Hopefully without too many more broken bones” pic.twitter.com/rsn2aOszjn
He also expressed hope that his journey might inspire a young dreamer “working their a** off right now to earn that price of admission, or figuring out some other damn way to get into the theatre.” His speech drew loud applause and ended with the audience rising to their feet for a standing ovation.
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Cruise has been nominated four times in his career so far for Born on the Fourth of July, Magnolia, Jerry Maguire, and as a producer on Top Gun: Maverick. Wynn Thomas, Dolly Parton, and Debbie Allen also received this year’s Governors Awards for their exceptional contributions to cinema.
