Tom Cruise, who is currently 63, is known as the most celebrated star in the history of Hollywood. On Sunday night, he finally stood with his first Oscars, in a room full of actors. In the interaction, Cruise said that making movies is not just his work but also defines who he is.
Holding the symbol of his contribution to the industry at the annual Governors’ awards, he was as composed as always, but was well up with emotions. He received a two-minute ovation after which he said that in the theatre they “Laugh together, feel together, we hope together”.
Choreographer and actor Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas were among the other selected people for their honorary careers. Dolly Parton, who was absent from the event, was also honoured by the board for his philanthropy at the ceremony, which was held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles.
Cruise has been selected for the awards four times. The first time was in 1989 for “Born on the Fourth of July”, in 1996 for “Jerry Maguire”, for “Magnolia” 1999, and for the fourth time as a producer for “Top Gun: Maverick” in 2022. Before he went to take the award, a montage of his movies was shown to the audience as they cheered for the legendary actor. The clips showed Cruise doing death-defying stunts on his own from “Taps” to “Mission Impossible”.
Cruise further added that he would do everything possible in his capacity to nurture the art form and also help new voices without hurting himself with the kind of stunts he performs on screen. The award was presented to him by Oscar-winning director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu. Cruise and Gonzalez have been in contact for several years as they are shooting a film to be released next year.
Presenting the award, Gonzalez said that though this was Cruise’s first Oscar, it will not be his last after seeing his performance and upcoming projects. His latest projects also reveal that, though he has only done blockbuster franchises in recent years, he might be working in the old ways to win the Academy Awards in the coming years.
