The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Honorary Oscars to actor and producer Tom Cruise, choreographer and actor Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas at the 16th Governors Awards on Sunday at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood.
Music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which she accepted via a pre-recorded message.
The annual event, produced by Jennifer Fox, drew numerous filmmakers, stars and Oscar hopefuls. Director Guillermo del Toro attended alongside his “Frankenstein” cast members Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth, as well as costume designer Kate Hawley and composer Alexandre Desplat.
Other notable attendees I spotted included Noah Baumbach and Adam Sandler from “Jay Kelly,” Edward Berger and Colin Farrell from “Ballad of a Small Player,” and Kate Winslet with writer Joe Anders from “Goodbye June.” Directors Clint Bentley, Richard Linklater and Rian Johnson were present with cast members from their respective films “Train Dreams,” “Nouvelle Vague” and “Wake Up Dead Man.” “Wicked: For Good” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo also charmed the room, along with Ethan Hawke from “Blue Moon” and Chloé Zhao from “Hamnet.”
Notable absences included Timothée Chalamet from “Marty Supreme,” Paul Mescal from “Hamnet” and Russell Crowe from “Nuremberg.”
Legendary production designer Wynn Thomas received his first Oscar, presented by Octavia Spencer. Widely recognized as the first African American production designer in film history, Thomas has worked with directors including Spike Lee, Tim Burton and Ron Howard on films such as “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “Hidden Figures” and “A Beautiful Mind.” He was also the first African American to join the Art Directors Guild and be nominated for an Art Directors Guild award.
In his acceptance speech, Thomas reflected on growing up poor and Black in Philadelphia, finding escape and purpose in books. He delivered the night’s biggest laugh with this line: “The local gangs looked down on me and called me a sissy. But that sissy grew up to work with some great filmmakers!”
“Wicked for Good” star Cynthia Erivo had the honor of presenting an Honorary Oscar to choreographer and actor Debbie Allen, whom she affectionately calls, “Auntie.”
Allen spotted Cruise in the audience and couldn’t resist a playful nod to his iconic “Risky Business” moment. “Honey,” she teased, “we loved when you slid out in those tightie-whities.” The crowd roared as Allen leaned into the nostalgia, reminding everyone why Cruise remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring showmen.
The Honorary Award, according to the Academy, is given “to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy.”
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, also an Oscar statuette, is awarded to “an individual in the motion picture arts and sciences whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry by promoting human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities.”
The 2024 Governors Awards ceremony honored Quincy Jones (posthumously), the first Black producer to be nominated for best picture; legendary casting director Juliet Taylor; screenwriter and director Richard Curtis; and longtime James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
As usual, the un-televised ceremony delivered a mix of heartfelt speeches, star-studded reunions and candid moments that viewers at home will never see. Here are the 10 most memorable highlights from inside the room.
Ariana Grande Takes a Photo with EJAE, the Voice Behind “Golden”
Ariana Grande had one of the night’s most charming cross-generational interactions when she took a photo with EJAE, the singer behind “Golden,” the biggest hit of the year and a leading contender in the original song race. She also posed with singer-songwriter Aiyana-Lee, who sings and appears in Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest.” The exchange delighted nearby attendees — and showed how the Governors Awards uniquely blends music, film and rising talent.
Tom Cruise’s Honorary Oscar — and the Moment Sydney Sweeney Froze
Two-time best director winner Alejandro González Iñárritu presented Tom Cruise with his Honorary Oscar, calling him an “Amores Perros” superfan and praising him as “the embodiment of movies.” Iñárritu is directing Cruise in an as-yet-untitled Warner Bros. film slated for 2026.
Watching Cruise at that moment, I couldn’t help but think of Paul Newman’s trajectory — when he received an Honorary Oscar and then won competitively the following year for “The Color of Money” (1986), which co-starred a young Cruise.
Earlier, Sydney Sweeney experienced her own movie-star shockwave. When Cruise approached, she froze.
“Have you ever met him?” I asked.
“No, never,” she said.
“Go say hi.”
“I don’t even know what to say.”
Earlier in the evening, Andra Day — a clear Cruise superfan — adjusted his undone button mid-conversation. The movie-star aura remains undefeated.
Will Arnett Kicks Things Off, Andra Day Brings the House Down
Will Arnett, star of Bradley Cooper’s third feature as a director, “Is This Thing On?,” set the tone with a loose, deadpan introduction: “You might know me from my storied film career — and the story is thanks to Bradley Cooper, he finally made a good one, huh?” Arnett then handed things over to co-star Andra Day, who performed a soulful cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” immediately after Parton’s pre-recorded acceptance speech, earning huge applause from the room.
Austin Butler Chats With Jacob Elordi and Walks With Josh O’Connor
Between greetings and photo ops, Austin Butler found himself playing unofficial usher. The “Elvis” actor appeared to point “Wake Up Dead Man” star Josh O’Connor to his seat before chatting with Jacob Elordi. The “Frankenstein” star also squeezed in conversations with Jennifer Lopez, there to support her film “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” and the cast of Cannes darling “Sentimental Value,” including Renate Reinsve, Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
Tom Cruise’s Speech Leaves Wagner Moura Ready to Shoot
“The Secret Agent” star Wagner Moura was deeply moved by Tom Cruise’s career reel and speech.
“I really want to go make a movie right now,” he told me afterward, calling Cruise’s tribute “pure fuel.”
The Room So Star-Packed You Couldn’t Walk Straight
At one point, I found myself surrounded by Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Benicio Del Toro, Jennifer Lopez, Ted Sarandos, Hailee Steinfeld, Rian Johnson, Mark Hamill, Sydney Sweeney — and Cruise himself. Navigating the room became an Olympic sport but what a room to be in.
Lily Tomlin’s Wild and Wonderful Dolly Parton Tribute
Comedy legend Lily Tomlin received a standing ovation before launching into a hilariously meandering, heavily improvised 15-minute introduction for Dolly Parton. After sharing that she has double-vision issues, she reminisced about pajama-party sleepovers with Jane Fonda and Parton while making their 1980 comedy classic “9 to 5,” joking, “Can you picture Brando inviting Pacino and Duvall over for a sleepover?”
Halfway through, producers tried to roll Parton’s pre-taped speech — prompting Tomlin to pause and ask whether she was being gently nudged offstage.
An “Uncut Gems” Reunion
Adam Sandler caught up with his “Uncut Gems” directors Benny and Josh Safdie, who were supporting their respective new films as individual directors: “The Smashing Machine” and “Marty Supreme.” The moment prompted a flurry of table-hopping from filmmakers eager to greet them.
Looking Forward to “Project Hail Mary”
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller don’t have a movie this year, and were at the Governors Awards as guests. Still, they teased scarce details of their Ryan Gosling sci-fi adventure, “Project Hail Mary,” set for release in March. “Ryan is very emotional in it. Surprisingly emotional,” Miller said. Rumors have been making their way around the town that the film is excellent, but the pair aren’t “picture locked” yet.
A Menu for the Stars
Guests dined on smoked salmon Oscar matzahs; aged Parmesan; beet and truffle mushroom hummus; avocado purée with house-made lavosh; steak frites with roasted filet mignon; Café de Paris butter; French fries; and roasted Brussels sprouts. Dessert featured an espresso chocolate bonbon, raspberry linzer cookie and caramelized lemon tart, paired with La Clarté de Haut-Brion 2021, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2015 and Champagne Lallier R.021.
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