Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise has received the Academy Honorary Award, marking the first Oscar of his career after more than 44 years of contributions to the art of filmmaking.

The 16th Governors Awards ceremony took place on November 17 (U.S. time) at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Cruise was honored with the Academy’s Honorary Oscar, a special award selected by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to recognize lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions to cinema. The award is traditionally presented several months ahead of the main Oscars ceremony.

Taking the stage to accept the golden statuette, Cruise delivered an emotional speech, saying:
“Movies have taken me all over the world, helping me understand and appreciate our differences, while also revealing our shared humanity and common ground.”

He continued:
“In a movie theater, we laugh together, feel together, and hope together. That is the power of art. Filmmaking is not just my profession — it is who I am.”

Cruise reflected on how his love for cinema began in childhood, when the beam of light from a projector illuminated the screen and opened up entirely new worlds, fueling his imagination and inspiring his desire to explore and tell stories.

As his name was announced, the audience — filled with filmmakers and industry peers — rose to their feet for a two-minute standing ovation. Holding the Oscar tightly, Tom Cruise was visibly moved, shedding tears during a moment he had waited nearly half a century to experience.