Dolly Parton, choreographer/producer Debbie Allen, and groundbreaking production designer Wynn Thomas. "Making films is not what I do, it is who I am," Cruise said from the podium of the Ray Dolby Ballroom,

Cruise has received four previous Oscar nominations in his career, earning best actor nods for 1990's "Born on the Fourth of July" and 1997's "Jerry Maguire," a best supporting actor nod for his role in 2000's "Magnolia," and a best picture nod for his work as a producer on 2022's "Top Gun: Maverick."

"You are a queen; your impact on this industry and this world is profound," Cruise said, addressing his fellow honoree personally. "And you are more than a dancer, you are more than an actor, director,

Former U.S. Navy Blue Angel and Marco Island resident Lt. Cmdr. Curtis Watson took Tom Cruise flying in 1985 to help the young actor with character development for his role as Maverick in "Top Gun," according to a 2016 Naples Daily News report.

Decades after dominating Hollywood as its golden lovebirds, and later enduring a highly public and bitter divorce, Nicole Kidman’s ex-husband Tom Cruise has reportedly weighed in on her recent split from Keith Urban.