Latest news with #WynnThomas
News.com.au
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
NEWS OF THE WEEK: Tom Cruise awarded first Oscar as four huge stars win top gongs
The 62-year-old Hollywood icon has been nominated four times over his long career but has not yet scooped a golden statuette. That will all change later this year, however, as the Top Gun star is being granted the Academy Honorary Award. Actress and dancer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas will also receive Academy Honorary Awards, while music icon Dolly Parton will be awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Academy President Janet Yang said on Tuesday, "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.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Film Academy Taps Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas for Honorary Oscars, Dolly Parton for Hersholt Award
The board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted to present actor/producer Tom Cruise, actress/producer/choreographer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas with Honorary Awards, and actress/singer-songwriter Dolly Parton with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 16th annual Governors Awards, the organization announced Tuesday. The honorees — whose selection was the final decision made by the 55 governors who served on the Academy's board during the 2024-2025 term, including the likes of Pam Abdy, Jason Blum, Ruth E. Carter, Ava DuVernay, Marlee Matlin, Jason Reitman and Eric Roth — will be fêted at a black-tie ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 16. More from The Hollywood Reporter Viola Davis and Walter Murch to Receive Honorary Degrees at AFI Conservatory Commencement Making of 'Paradise': How a White Lie and a Far-Fetched Apocalyptic Natural Disaster Birthed the Thriller Emmy Predictions via Feinberg Forecast: Scott Updates His Picks Midway Through Nominations Voting '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,' outgoing Academy president Janet Yang said in a statement. 'The Academy's board of governors is honored to recognize these brilliant artists. Debbie Allen is a trailblazing choreographer and actor, whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres. Tom Cruise's incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community has inspired us all. Beloved performer Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts. And production designer Wynn Thomas has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft.' The board annually bestows Honorary Awards for lifetime achievement. (Previous recipients include Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Louis B. Mayer, Greta Garbo, Cary Grant, Federico Fellini, Sidney Poitier, Steve Martin, Gena Rowlands and, last year, Quincy Jones.) On occasion, it also chooses to present the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which recognizes the achievements of a creative producer and/or executive (honorees have included Darryl F. Zanuck, David O. Selznick, Jack Warner, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall and, last year, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson) and/or the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, celebrating remarkable service to others (honorees have included Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Oprah Winfrey and, last year, Richard Curtis). Each of these honors now comes in the form of an Oscar statuette. * * * Cruise, 62, who is often described as 'the last movie star,' has consistently been a top box-office draw for longer than anyone else in history. His popularity — built on the back of his all-American, boy-next-door smile and swagger, as well as real acting chops and tireless boosterism of his own projects — has spanned 1983's Risky Business through 2025's Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, a period of 42 years, with two chart-topping Top Gun movies, 36 years apart, inbetween, the latter of which, in the view of no less an authority than Steven Spielberg, 'saved Hollywood's ass' in the wake of the global pandemic. Cruise spent the first half of his career working mostly in filmmaker-driven projects. He was directed by Barry Levinson (1988's Rain Man, which won the best picture Oscar), Francis Ford Coppola (1983's The Outsiders), Martin Scorsese (1986's The Color of Money), Oliver Stone (1989's Born on the Fourth of July, for which he received the first of his four Oscar noms), Rob Reiner (1992's A Few Good Men), Sydney Pollack (1993's The Firm), Cameron Crowe (1996's Jerry Maguire, Oscar nom #2, and 2001's Vanilla Sky), Stanley Kubrick (1999's Eyes Wide Shut), Paul Thomas Anderson (1999's Magnolia, Oscar nom #3), Spielberg (2002's Minority Report) and Michael Mann (2004's Collateral). He has spent the second half working mostly in action-oriented flicks of varying quality, but fairly unwavering popularity, in which he famously does many of his own stunts. Among them: eight Mission: Impossible films (1996, 2000, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2023 and 2025), the first of which also marked his debut producing credit (he also has produced every subsequent installment), plus The Last Samurai (2003), The War of the Worlds (2005), Jack Reacher (2012, also a producer), Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016, also a producer) and Top Gun: Maverick (also a producer, resulting in Oscar nom #4). With few exceptions, the most notable being 2008's Tropic Thunder, Cruise has, over the last 20 years, consistently played a version of Cruise, or at least his well-established screen persona, which audiences still love. Unlike other A-listers, you won't see him playing a superhero in a comic book adaptation — he turned down Tony Stark — because in his movies he, not the character he plays, is the star; and you won't see him on a streaming service or on TV, because he is a movie star, which is why he also ferociously defends the theatrical experience. * * * Allen, 75, is not only a trailblazing artist, but also a champion of arts education — on screen (her most famous role is dance teacher Lydia Grant in the 1980 film Fame and its television adaptation that ran from 1982 through 1987, which she also choreographed) and off (through her Debbie Allen Dance Academy in LA and other activities). Her stage and TV credits are extensive — she has been nominated for two Tonys and 21 Primetime Emmys, winning five of the latter, and the TV Academy presented her with a Governors Award in 2021 and inducted her into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2022. Her standout work in film has been more limited — beyond Fame, she also acted in 1981's Ragtime; produced 1997's Amistad with Steven Spielberg; and choreographed 2024's The Six Triple Eight. Allen, who also choreographed seven Oscars telecasts, previously has been the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, a Kennedy Center Honor and many other major prizes. * * * Thomas, who got his start in the New York theater, is a revered production designer who is best known for his extensive collaboration with Spike Lee, which encompasses 11 films over 35 years, spanning Lee's feature directorial debut, 1986's She's Gotta Have It, through 2020's Da 5 Bloods, and also includes Lee's most celebrated films, 1989's Do the Right Thing and 1992's Malcolm X. Thomas has worked with numerous other A-list filmmakers including Francis Ford Coppola (on 1984's The Cotton Club), Robert De Niro (1993's A Bronx Tale), Ron Howard (on 2001 best picture Oscar winner A Beautiful Mind and 2005's Cinderella Man), Barry Levinson (1997's Wag the Dog) and Tim Burton (1996's Mars Attacks!), and on hit films such as 1999's Analyze This, 2016's Hidden Figures and 2021's King Richard. The first African American production designer to join the Art Directors Guild, he won two ADG Awards (for Hidden Figures and Da 5 Bloods) and was the recipient of the ADG's lifetime achievement award in 2024. The ADG declared at the time, 'Thomas has significantly shaped the landscape of filmmaking, and his diverse body of work reflects his innovative approach and commitment to storytelling. Beyond his artistic achievements, Thomas is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of designers. Thomas has not only broken barriers but also paved the way for future generations.' Thomas also served on the Academy's board of governors from 2017 through 2023, and was its vice president and chair of its education and outreach committee from 2020 through 2023. * * * Parton, 79, one of the most popular country music stars of all time, made her mark on the movies as an actress (most memorably in 1980's 9 to 5 and 1982's The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, for which she received Golden Globe noms) and as a singer/songwriter (garnering best original song Oscar noms for 'Nine to Five' from 9 to 5 and 'Travelin' Thru' from 2005's Transamerica). But her greatest legacy may be her philanthropy. Indeed, the daughter of a man who never learned to read has spent millions of dollars to give away more than 285 million books to children, aiming to inspire a lifelong love of reading. It's all done through her Dollywood Foundation, which she created in 1988 with the aim of helping to educate kids from her home state of Tennessee, and the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which launched in 1995. 30 years later, Parton's organization mails millions of free books every month to pre-schoolers in all fifty states, as well as in Canada, the UK, Ausralia and Ireland. Beyond that, she has also been an outspoken ally of the LGBTQ community and a pivotal supporter of medical research — as in, $2 million in donations to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center — that helped to fund the critical early stages of development of the Moderna vaccine that saved an untold number of lives during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. * * * On June 9, THR published a piece suggesting 100 worthy candidates for Governors Awards. It included Parton (#3) and Cruise (#16). Best of The Hollywood Reporter 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oscar glory at last: Tom Cruise and Dolly Parton are finally getting Academy Awards
He's one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood history, considered one of the last great Movie Stars and has defied death for more than three decades in the Mission: Impossible franchise... And yet, Tom Cruise has yet to win an Oscar – despite four nominations. Now, that Golden Baldie dearth is about to be rectified as the 62-year-old actor will finally receive an Academy Award this year. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that Cruise will get an Honorary Oscar in November to celebrate his entire career, praising Cruise for his dedication to his craft, including performing all his own stunts, and helping the film industry recover following the COVID-19 period. Indeed, Cruise – who can currently be seen in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning - famously played a large part in kick-starting the box office during the pandemic when Top Gun: Maverick opened in late spring 2022. The sequel to the 1986 adventure went on to gross $1.5bn worldwide. Cruise previously earned lead actor Oscar nominations for Born On The Fourth Of July and Jerry Maguire, a supporting actor nod for Magnolia, and a best picture nomination as a producer on Top Gun: Maverick. The leading man is one of four honourees, alongside choreographer and actress Debbie Allen (Fame, Ragtime, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling), pioneering Black production designer Wynn Thomas (Do The Right Thing, Malcolm X, A Beautiful Mind), and country singer - and complete legend - Dolly Parton. '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,' said Janet Yang, Academy President. 'The Academy's Board of Governors is honored to recognize these brilliant artists. Debbie Allen is a trailblazing choreographer and actor, whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres. Tom Cruise's incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community has inspired us all. Beloved performer Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts. And production designer Wynn Thomas has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft.' The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is also an Oscar statuette and is presented to Hollywood figures renowned for 'promoting human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities'. Parton's charitable and philanthropic work include the Dollywood Foundation, founded in 1988. The institution champions the education of children in her home state of Tennessee. As for her literacy initiative, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, it has distributed more than 285 million books globally since 1995. Besides her music career, Parton has starred in films like 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, and earned two original song Oscar nominations for '9 to 5', and 'Travelin' Thru from Transamerica' from the film Transamerica. The four honorees will be presented with their Honorary Oscars at the Governors Awards ceremony on 16 November.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dolly Parton to receive honorary Oscar for humanitarian work
Dolly Parton is poised to be an Oscar winner — the '9 to 5' singer is being awarded an honorary statuette for her humanitarian work. The 79-year-old country music performer will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in November, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Board of Governors announced Tuesday. 'Parton will be recognized for her decades-long humanitarian efforts,' Academy Award organizers said in a statement. The actor and songwriter — who garnered Oscar nominations in the best original song category in 1981 and 2006 but never won — is the founder of the Dollywood Foundation. She launched her literacy program, 'Imagination Library,' in 1995. In addition to Parton, honorary Oscars will also be presented at a ceremony in Hollywood to 'Top Gun' star Tom Cruise, choreographer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Cruise finally gets his (honorary) Oscar moment: Here's his complete awards history
Tom Cruise's next mission, should he choose to accept it, will be to collect an honorary Oscar. The 62-year-old actor has been announced as one of the recipients of the 2025 Governors Awards alongside choreographer-artist Debbie Allen, production designer Wynn Thomas, and singer-songwriter Dolly Parton, the latter of whom will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The awards will be handed out on Nov. 16 in Los Angeles. More from GoldDerby Alan Cumming would be the 4th person to repeat in Best Reality Host: See fresh Emmy odds Dolly Parton adds honorary Oscar to her trophy shelf: A look back at her legendary awards history 'It was wonderful to be on that ride': Christian Slater talks his beloved roles, from cult classics ('Heathers,' 'True Romance') to TV hits ('Mr. Robot,' 'Dexter: Original Sin') Cruise rose to fame in the 1980s as the star of several teen movies before blowing up in Top Gun (1986) and becoming one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. He followed with a string of popcorn films that included Interview With the Vampire (1994), Minority Report (2002), War of the Worlds (2005), and the Mission: Impossible franchise (eight films between 2000 and 2025). While those types of films rarely result in trophy wins, Cruise still has a storied awards history that goes back decades. Cruise has been nominated at the Academy Awards four different times: Born on the Fourth of July (Best Actor, 1989), Jerry Maguire (Best Actor, 1996), Magnolia (Best Supporting Actor, 1999), and Top Gun: Maverick (Best Picture, 2022). He lost those respective contests to Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot), Geoffrey Rush (Shine), Michael Caine (The Cider House Rules), and Everything Everywhere All at Once. Dan Callister/Newsmakers The actor attended his first three ceremonies with then-wife Nicole Kidman (watch his live reactions to losing here, here, and here). However, he sat out the big show on March 12, 2023, when he was nominated as a producer for Top Gun: Maverick. But he wasn't shunning his peers; he was busy filming Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning overseas and simply couldn't get the time off. In a show of support for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Cruise did appear at that year's Oscar nominees luncheon on Feb. 13, 2023, where he snapped photos with everyone from Jamie Lee Curtis to Austin Butler to Malala Yousafzai. While Cruise failed to win at the Oscar, he kept scoring at the Golden Globes. Within an 11-year period, he earned three trophies for Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia. He has four additional Globe bids to his name for Risky Business (1983), A Few Good Men (1992), The Last Samurai (2003), and Tropic Thunder (2008). For his first victory in 1990, a baby-faced Cruise, just 28 years old, chuckled at the podium, "I'm so nervous here, hold on one second." He then thanked his fellow Born on the Fourth of July filmmakers and "all the Vietnam vets," including Ron Kovic, whom Cruise portrayed in the film. Watch the clip: In 2021, after a Los Angeles Times report uncovered several improprieties involving the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (which at the time owned the Golden Globes) and also that the organization had a lack of diversity within its membership (including no Black members), Cruise returned all three of his trophies in protest. It was the most high-profile repudiation of the HFPA, which faced a boycott led by other celebs like Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo. Due to the controversy, the ceremony did not air in 2022. (The Golden Globes Awards were later sold to Dick Clark Productions in 2023, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge and Penske Media, which owns Gold Derby.) Cruise has a single nomination to his name from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, an influential precursor to the Oscars. He was up for Born on the Fourth of July, but lost to French actor Philippe Noiret (Cinema Paradiso). Cruise has been nominated three times at the Screen Actors Guild Awards: for Jerry Maguire as an individual, and for Magnolia as an individual and as part of the ensemble. He has yet to win a SAG Award, which is voted on by his peers in the acting the Critics Choice Awards, Cruise received the Distinguished Achievement in Performing Arts trophy in 2005, that group's version of a lifetime achievement award. He has been nominated competitively four times with the critics, for starring in Jerry Maguire, Edge of Tomorrow (2014), Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation (2015), and Top Gun: Maverick. Cruise has claimed two Producers Guild of America statuettes, for Mission: Impossible in 1997 as most promising producer, and in 2023 for his career achievement in producing. For anyone who thinks that awards shows are simply too snobbish, this section is for you. Cruise has been honored with a plethora of other trophies throughout his career, including the Bambi Award for Valkyrie (for using his passion and initiative to carry out ambitious and courageous film projects to the screen); the Generation Award at the 2005 MTV Movie Awards; the 2002 Peabody Award for America: A Tribute to Heroes, which honored those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks; the Wannabe Award at the 2001 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards; Best Actor trophies at the 1990 and 1994 People's Choice Awards; and Man of the Year at Harvard's 1994 Hasty Pudding Theatricals. Hollywood visitors can snap photos of his star on the Walk of Fame, which he received in 1986. It's located across the street from the famous Chinese Theatre. And, last but not least, Cruise has "won" three Razzie Awards throughout his career, which no doubt keep him humble. He claimed Worst Screen Couple for Interview With the Vampire (with Brad Pitt), Most Tiresome Tabloid Target (with Katie Holmes), and Worst Actor for The Mummy (2017). SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby 'It was wonderful to be on that ride': Christian Slater talks his beloved roles, from cult classics ('Heathers,' 'True Romance') to TV hits ('Mr. Robot,' 'Dexter: Original Sin') Sam Rockwell on Frank's 'White Lotus' backstory, Woody Harrelson's influence, and going all in on 'this arc of Buddhist to Bad Lieutenant' Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh admit they 'never had the audacity to realize' a show like 'Deli Boys' was possible Click here to read the full article.
