Tom Cruise has been named a recipient of the 2025 Governors Awards, earning a Tom Cruise honorary Oscar and complete awards history is in the spotlight once again, with the ceremony set for November 16 in Los Angeles. The Hollywood star, now 62, joins Debbie Allen, Wynn Thomas, and Dolly Parton among this year’s honorees, marking a significant milestone in his long and varied career.
Cruise’s journey from 1980s teen movie icon to one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood is packed with blockbuster roles, memorable performances, and both victories and disappointments at major awards shows. His rise began with standout roles in movies like Top Gun (1986), which cemented his status as a big-screen draw. A succession of crowd-pleasers—including Interview With the Vampire, Minority Report, War of the Worlds, and the enduring Mission: Impossible franchise—showcased his widespread appeal. While action and science fiction films rarely bring home the industry’s top honors, Cruise’s relationship with the awards circuit has been notable and, at times, surprising.
Academy Award Nominations and Noteworthy Absences
Despite a decades-long record of success, Tom Cruise has had a complex history with the Academy Awards. He has received four Oscar nominations, twice as Best Actor for Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Jerry Maguire (1996), once for Best Supporting Actor in Magnolia (1999), and as a producer for Best Picture with Top Gun: Maverick (2022). In each instance, the win eluded him, with honors going to Daniel Day-Lewis, Geoffrey Rush, Michael Caine, and the team behind Everything Everywhere All at Once, respectively.
Cruise’s early Academy Award ceremonies were events he attended with then-wife Nicole Kidman, giving live, emotional reactions to each outcome. However, during the 2023 Oscars—where he received a nomination as a producer—he was noticeably absent due to filming Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning overseas, showing his commitment to ongoing projects over award show presence.
Prior to the 2023 Oscars, Cruise did demonstrate his support for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by attending the nominees luncheon, where he was seen mingling with figures including Jamie Lee Curtis, Austin Butler, and Malala Yousafzai. This gathering offered him a chance to connect with peers and fellow nominees ahead of the televised broadcast.
Triumphs and Protests at the Golden Globes
While the Oscars proved elusive, the Golden Globes were often more receptive to Cruise’s performances. He has won three Golden Globes within an 11-year span for Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia. Additionally, he collected nominations for other projects such as Risky Business, A Few Good Men, The Last Samurai, and Tropic Thunder, testifying to his range and popularity within the industry.
Cruise’s first major win at the Golden Globes came in 1990, when, at age 28, he stood on stage and expressed,
“I’m so nervous here, hold on one second.”
—Tom Cruise, Actor. After composing himself, he gave heartfelt thanks to the filmmakers behind Born on the Fourth of July and honored the Vietnam veterans, including Ron Kovic, the veteran he portrayed in the film.
This positive relationship with the Golden Globes changed in 2021, following reports by the Los Angeles Times highlighting problems within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, including a lack of Black members and alleged ethical breaches. In protest, Cruise returned all three of his Golden Globes trophies, joining other public figures like Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo in objecting to the organization’s shortcomings. The controversy was so significant that the awards ceremony did not air in 2022. Ownership of the Golden Globes changed hands in 2023 when Penske Media Eldridge, a cooperation between Eldridge and Penske Media, which also owns Gold Derby, acquired Dick Clark Productions.
Recognition from Other Prestigious Organizations
Cruise’s nomination record extends beyond the American awards circuit. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts recognized his work with a nomination for Born on the Fourth of July, but the award ultimately went to Philippe Noiret for Cinema Paradiso. Similarly, the Screen Actors Guild Awards have nominated Cruise for his roles in Jerry Maguire and Magnolia, both individually and as part of the film’s ensemble, but he has yet to claim a win from his acting peers.
The Critics Choice Awards honored Cruise with the Distinguished Achievement in Performing Arts trophy in 2005—a testament to his stature in the industry. He has also earned additional nominations from critics for his roles in Jerry Maguire, Edge of Tomorrow, Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, and Top Gun: Maverick.
As a producer, Cruise boasts two honors from the Producers Guild of America: recognition as the most promising producer in 1997 for Mission: Impossible, as well as a 2023 career achievement award. These acknowledgments highlight his significant impact not only as a star but also as a driving creative force behind blockbuster films.
Unconventional Accolades and Humbling Losses
Beyond the major industry awards, Tom Cruise’s trophy shelf features a variety of unique and sometimes quirky honors. His career accomplishments were recognized with the Bambi Award for Valkyrie, applauding his ambition in bringing challenging stories to the screen. In 2005, he was presented with the Generation Award by the MTV Movie Awards, and in 2002, he accepted the Peabody Award as part of America: A Tribute to Heroes, commemorating those lost in the September 11 attacks.
Younger fans voted him the winner of the Wannabe Award at the 2001 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, while popular acclaim delivered him Best Actor titles at the People’s Choice Awards in both 1990 and 1994. Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals selected him as Man of the Year in 1994, adding an Ivy League nod to his resume.
Visitors to Hollywood can find his star on the Walk of Fame—awarded in 1986—located across from the legendary Chinese Theatre, a spot frequently visited by tourists and film lovers alike. Despite these tributes, Cruise’s career has featured its share of tongue-in-cheek acknowledgments as well, with three Razzie Awards to his name: Worst Screen Couple for Interview With the Vampire (with Brad Pitt), Most Tiresome Tabloid Target (with Katie Holmes), and Worst Actor for The Mummy. These less flattering honors reflect the sometimes unpredictable nature of popular and critical response to his work.
The Enduring Impact of Tom Cruise’s Hollywood Legacy
Tom Cruise’s journey through Hollywood’s awards landscape is a testament to both his incredible staying power and the shifting standards of critical acclaim in the film industry. From notable Oscar snubs and celebrated Golden Globe wins to public protests against organizational controversies, Cruise remains a compelling and passionate figure, willing to both shine in the spotlight and speak out on issues that matter to him. With a Tom Cruise honorary Oscar and complete awards history now crowned by the Governors Awards, his place in Hollywood history is all but assured, leaving fans and peers alike to ponder where his next adventure will lead.
