Overview
- The Academy bestowed the Honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards in Hollywood, marking Cruise’s first statuette after four prior nominations.
- Alejandro G. Iñárritu presented the award as he and Cruise collaborate on a film reported to be in production in London for a planned 2026 release.
- Cruise told the room, “Making movies isn’t what I do, it’s who I am,” and promised to keep backing cinema in theaters, drawing a prolonged standing ovation.
- Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, while Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas were honored with Academy statuettes for career achievement.
- Parton accepted by video, with reports differing on whether she missed the ceremony due to recent health issues or a long‑standing scheduling conflict.