One shaped cinema. The other shaped hearts. Now they both take center stage.
The Honorary Oscar isn’t about who had the best performance last year. It’s about impact. Legacy.
A body of work that changed the game.
Past recipients include legends like Charlie Chaplin, Cicely Tyson, Spike Lee, Hayao Miyazaki, and Lauren Bacall. Each of them left a permanent mark on the world of film.
In 2025, two more names will join that list – and they couldn’t be more different: Tom Cruise and Dolly Parton.
Tom Cruise: The Blockbuster King Finally Gets His Golden Moment
Tom Cruise has been a Hollywood powerhouse for over 40 years. He’s flown fighter jets, clung to planes mid-air, and carried entire franchises on his back. But somehow, he’s never won an Oscar – not a regular one, anyway.
Cruise was nominated three times (Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, Magnolia), but walked away empty-handed each time. That changes now. The Academy is honoring him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his unmatched dedication to cinema – not just as an actor, but as a producer, a daredevil, and a passionate believer in the power of the big screen.
Especially in an age of streaming, Cruise has fought to keep movie theaters alive and relevant. The award is a nod to his fearless spirit – both on and off screen.
Dolly Parton: More Than A Music Legend
Dolly Parton is getting a different kind of Oscar – the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, given for outstanding philanthropic contributions.
And with Dolly, that’s not a side project. It’s a way of life.
Through her “Imagination Library,” she’s donated over 200 million books to children around the world. She’s funded vaccines, supported disaster relief, and championed education in underserved communities.
She’s been nominated for an Oscar twice for Best Original Song (9 to 5, Travelin’ Thru from Transamerica), but this time, it’s not about music. It’s about heart.
Two Paths. One Spotlight.
Tom Cruise is the face of high-octane cinema. Dolly Parton is the soul of country music and compassion. Their journeys are wildly different – but both have devoted their lives to giving something meaningful to the world.
On November 16, 2025, the Academy will honor them at the Governors Awards in Los Angeles. That night, the applause won’t just be for fame – but for impact, for passion, and for stories that last.