INVC NEWS
Los Angeles — : The Hollywood icon Tom Cruise is finally getting an Oscar. After decades of delivering some of cinema’s most iconic performances and blockbuster action films, the 62-year-old actor will receive an honorary Academy Award in 2025, announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Cruise will be joined by music legend Dolly Parton, choreographer Debbie Allen, and production designer Wynn Thomas, all of whom will be honored at the 16th Governors Awards in Los Angeles.
Tom Cruise’s Long-Awaited Oscar Moment
Cruise first earned an Oscar nomination 35 years ago. Despite three acting nominations—for Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia—and a Best Picture nomination as producer of Top Gun: Maverick, he has never won an Oscar. That changes in 2025.
He’s being recognized for his blockbuster impact, cinematic stunts, and role in reviving movie theaters during COVID-19, especially through Top Gun: Maverick, which reignited box office confidence globally.
Dolly Parton to Be Honored for Her Humanitarian Work
Country music queen Dolly Parton will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Known for hits like 9 to 5 and her philanthropic work, Parton has:
Sold over 100 million records
Delivered two Oscar-nominated songs
Distributed over 285 million free books to children through her Imagination Library
The Academy called her contributions “a cultural and humanitarian gift to the world.”
Debbie Allen’s Dance and Drama Legacy Recognized
Debbie Allen, famous for her work in Fame and Grey’s Anatomy, will also receive an honorary Oscar. She choreographed seven Oscars ceremonies, four of which earned Emmy nominations. Allen’s multi-faceted contributions span acting, directing, producing, and mentorship across generations.
Wynn Thomas Becomes Second Production Designer Honored
Celebrated production designer Wynn Thomas, known for films like Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, Hidden Figures, and A Beautiful Mind, will receive an honorary Oscar for shaping the visual identity of many culturally significant films. Thomas is only the second production designer ever to receive this recognition.
