Hollywood paid tribute to actor Tom Cruise on Sunday, celebrating his 45-year career with an honorary Oscar, a milestone that comes decades after his rise from breakout teen star to one of cinema’s most influential global icons. The ceremony, organised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, recognised Cruise for his contributions to filmmaking, theatrical revival efforts, and his impact on generations of moviemakers and audiences.
Inarritu leads a heartfelt tribute
Director Alejandro Inarritu, who is helming Cruise’s upcoming untitled film scheduled for release next October, opened the segment with a humorous admission: summarising the actor’s vast career in four minutes felt like “mission impossible”.
Inarritu praised Cruise not only for his widely discussed dedication to dangerous stunts, precision flying, and high-octane action sequences, but also for his instinctive control over cinematic rhythm and performance modulation.
“It is not how far he runs or how high he jumps,” Inarritu said. “It’s how precisely he decides to move—those tiny calibrations.”
A career spanning four decades
Cruise, now 63, began his journey in the early 1980s with memorable roles in Risky Business and Top Gun, both of which propelled him into international stardom. Over the years, he has reinvented himself across genres—from drama and romance to sci-fi and large-scale action.
His work in films such as Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia earned him four Oscar nominations, though he has never won a competitive Academy Award.
The honorary Oscar acknowledges not just his box office prowess—his films have collectively grossed tens of thousands of crores worldwide—but also his behind-the-scenes influence as a producer, mentor, and advocate for cinema.
The ‘Mission: Impossible’ legacy
One of Cruise’s most defining contributions remains his Mission: Impossible franchise, which began in 1996 and evolved into one of Hollywood’s most successful action series.
Known for performing nearly all his stunts—including scaling the Burj Khalifa, hanging off a flying aircraft, and executing high-speed motorcycle cliff jumps—Cruise has set benchmarks for physical performance and technical precision.
Industry observers note that these efforts helped revive the action genre globally and shaped the expectations of younger filmmakers and actors.
Championing theatrical cinema
Beyond his on-screen work, Cruise has emerged as one of the strongest voices defending traditional cinema. He has consistently pushed for theatrical releases, especially during the rise of streaming platforms and the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
His insistence on releasing Top Gun: Maverick in theatres rather than on streaming is credited with contributing to the film’s staggering commercial success and revitalising movie-going habits worldwide.
A historic honour for Hollywood
The honorary Oscar, presented alongside three other recipients chosen by the Academy’s Board of Governors, cements Cruise’s legacy as both an artist and an industry force.
The Board highlighted his commitment to nurturing filmmaking craftsmanship, supporting theatre owners, and maintaining a global fan base unmatched by most contemporary actors.
Industry peers at the ceremony lauded Cruise’s discipline, work ethic, and ability to evolve with changing times while staying true to the essence of cinematic storytelling.
What comes next
Cruise is currently working on multiple projects, including Inarritu’s upcoming drama and the next instalment of Mission: Impossible. Industry insiders believe his creative pursuits will continue to shape Hollywood’s future, particularly in areas involving high-end production standards and theatrical experiences.
As he accepted the honorary Oscar, Cruise thanked his collaborators, audiences, and the crews he called “the backbone of every film I’ve made”.
With this honour, Hollywood celebrates not just an actor, but a cinematic era shaped around his relentless passion, precision, and timeless star power.
Conclusion
Tom Cruise’s honorary Oscar stands as recognition for a body of work that has influenced global cinema for nearly half a century. As Hollywood evolves, his legacy—as an actor, producer, and advocate for theatres—remains firmly etched in its foundations.