For Fans, Always a Leading Man... Tom Cruise Wins His First Oscar After 45 Years

Received a Two-Minute Standing Ovation on Stage
Wins Oscar 35 Years After First Nomination in 1990

Hollywood star Tom Cruise, 63, has finally received an Oscar trophy, 45 years after his debut. It has also been 35 years since he was first nominated for an Oscar in 1990.

On November 16 (local time), international media outlets including the Associated Press reported that Cruise received this year’s Academy Honorary Award at the 16th Governors Awards, held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. The Academy Honorary Award is presented to individuals who have achieved outstanding accomplishments over a lifetime or made special contributions to the art and science of film.

This year’s recipients of the Honorary Award include Cruise, choreographer Debbie Allen, and production designer Wynn Thomas. Taking the stage, Cruise received a standing ovation for over two minutes before delivering his acceptance speech. He said, “Making movies is not just a job, it’s my identity. In theaters, we laugh together, we feel together, and we hope together. That is why this art form matters.”

Previously, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced Cruise as a recipient in June, stating, “Cruise has inspired all of us with his incredible dedication to the filmmaking community, to providing dramatic experiences for audiences, and to the stunt community. He also played a significant role in helping the film industry endure the crisis during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Cruise had previously been nominated for the Academy Award for acting three times-for “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989), “Jerry Maguire” (1996), and “Magnolia” (1999). In 2023, he was nominated as a producer for Best Picture for “Top Gun: Maverick,” but had never won an Oscar until now.

Although the ceremony was a private event without a TV broadcast, it effectively marked the start of Oscar season, as many of this year’s Academy Award contenders-including Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Dwayne Johnson, and Ariana Grande-were in attendance. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, who presented the Honorary Award to Cruise, is currently working with him on a film set to be released in 2026. Inarritu remarked, “This may be his first Oscar, but from what I’ve seen and experienced, it will not be his last,” drawing enthusiastic applause. Cruise added, “I will continue to do everything I can to protect the art of cinema. I just hope I don’t break any more bones,” he said with a laugh.