Summary
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Hollywood star Tom Cruise accepted the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award (an honorary Oscar) at the Governors Awards ceremony
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Cruise delivered a rare, emotional speech where he thanked the crew and emphasized the magic and communal experience of watching films in a theater
Hollywood titan Tom Cruise accepted the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award — an honorary Oscar for producers—at the Governors Awards ceremony, delivering a rare and deeply emotional 10-minute speech. The award, given for a lifetime of consistently high-quality motion picture production, recognized Cruise’s four-decade career defined by monumental global blockbusters.
The atmosphere was electric as Cruise was introduced Alejandro González Iñárritu, the Mexican filmmaker who is currently directing Cruise in an untitled 2026 film. Iñárritu said, “Tom Cruise doesn’t just make movies, he is movies. This may be his first Oscar, but from what I have seen and experienced, it will not be his last.” During his reflective speech, Cruise became visibly emotional, tearing up as he recalled his childhood dreams of filmmaking. He emphasized that the heart of cinema lies in the communal experience of watching a film in a darkened theater.
Cruise devoted much of his time to thanking the thousands of crew members, from grips to camera operators, acknowledging their relentless dedication to the craft. He affirmed his lifelong belief in the magic of moviemaking, stating that he feels an obligation to honor the dreams of the audience. The evening was a fitting tribute to a star who has not only produced some of the highest-grossing films in history but has maintained an unwavering passion for the integrity of the theatrical experience.
