Hollywood is about to throw one heck of a party this fall. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences just announced that Tom Cruise, Dolly Parton, Debbie Allen, and Wynn Thomas will each receive an Honorary Oscar at this year’s Governors Awards on November 16. And frankly, it’s about time.
For nearly four decades, Tom Cruise has been leaping from buildings, clinging to planes, and defying gravity (and death). He’s a bona fide global superstar with four Oscar nominations under his belt, yet he still has no golden statue to polish—until now.
At 62, Cruise is finally being recognized for his entire body of work and contributions to the industry. The Academy praised his dedication to his craft (he famously does his death-defying stunts), his championing of theatrical releases, and his massive role in reviving the box office after COVID shutdowns.
You probably remember how “Top Gun: Maverick” became the movie that got people back into theaters, pulling in a jaw-dropping $1.5 billion worldwide.
Cruise’s past nominations include Best Actor nods for “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Jerry Maguire,” a Supporting Actor nomination for “Magnolia,” and a Best Picture nomination as a producer on “Top Gun: Maverick.”
© FilmMagicBut Cruise won’t be alone on the honorary stage. Debbie Allen is the iconic actress, choreographer, director, and producer whose career spans decades and genres. You’ve seen her in “Fame,” “Ragtime,” and “Jo Jo Dancer,” “Your Life Is Calling,” and her trailblazing work behind the camera has been just as influential as her work on screen.
Wynn Thomas is a pioneering Black production designer whose visionary eye has shaped unforgettable films like “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” and “A Beautiful Mind.”
© Jason KempinDolly Parton is the beloved queen of country music, a film star, and a humanitarian. The Academy will give her the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which comes with its own Oscar statuette. Dolly’s philanthropic efforts include her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, which has distributed more than 285 million books to kids worldwide.
And let’s not forget, Dolly is no stranger to Hollywood. She earned two Best Original Song Oscar nominations for “9 to 5” and “Travelin’ Thru” from “Transamerica,” and stole scenes in movies like 9 to 5 and “Steel Magnolias.”
In announcing the honorees, Academy President Janet Yang said: “This year’s Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact.”
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