Overview
- Cruise delivered an emotional tribute to cinema’s unifying power, describing filmmaking as central to his identity and thanking the crews who make movies possible.
- Alejandro G. Iñárritu presented the honor as he directs Cruise in an untitled film planned for October 2026.
- Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas were also awarded Honorary Oscars, with Allen introduced by Cynthia Erivo.
- Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award via a pre-recorded message from Nashville due to health issues.
- Held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, the non-televised Governors Awards doubled as an early awards-season gathering with stars including Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dwayne Johnson and Emma Stone, and it marked an Oscar in Cruise’s career after four prior nominations.