Tom Cruise was awarded an Honorary Oscar on November 16, 2025, at the Governors Awards, presented by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. In his emotional speech, Cruise thanked the people who make films possible and shared his lifelong love for cinema, saying, "Making films is not what I do, it is who I am." He recalled the moment he first fell in love with movies as a child in a dark theater, sparking his imagination and shaping his career. The event also honored Debbie Allen, Wynn Thomas, and Dolly Parton, with stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Emma Stone in attendance.