Overview
- Alejandro G. Iñárritu presented the honor and is directing Cruise in an untitled film scheduled for October 2026.
- In his speech, Cruise said, “So making films is not what I do, it is who I am,” praising cinema’s ability to unite audiences.
- He pledged to “support and champion new voices” and to “protect what makes cinema powerful.”
- Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas also received honorary Oscars, and Dolly Parton accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award via prerecorded video due to health concerns.
- On the eve of the ceremony, social videos showed Cruise dancing with Allen at a Debbie Allen Dance Academy celebration in Los Angeles.