Tom Cruise snubs Kennedy Center honour
The Mission: Impossible actor was offered the prestigious award - which "recognises and celebrates individuals whose unique artistic contributions have shaped our world" - but declined due to scheduling conflicts, multiple anonymous current and former Kennedy Center employees told The Washington Post.
Instead, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the ceremony in December would see rockers KISS, stage star Michael Crawford, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, country musician George Strait and actor Sylvester Stallone honoured.
Trump announced the recipients on Wednesday from the Kennedy Center's Hall of Nations, where he unveiled five portraits draped in velvet, and he also admitted he himself had long wanted one of the prestigious accolades.
He said: "I waited and waited and waited, and I said, 'The hell with it, I'll become chairman and I'll give myself an honour ... Next year, we'll honour Trump, OK?"
The former Apprentice star was "very involved" in choosing the recipients and turned down some suggestions he did not personally approve of.
"... I had a couple of wokesters. Now, we have great people. This is very different than it used to be, very different," he said.
In a major change to the ceremony - which will take place in December, the president himself will serve as host.
While Cruise may have turned down the accolade, he will receive another honour, with the Top Gun: Maverick actor to receive an honorary Oscar at the 2025 Governors Awards, which take place in November.
Tom Cruise reportedly turned down a Kennedy Center honour.
The Mission: Impossible actor was offered the prestigious award - which "recognises and celebrates individuals whose unique artistic contributions have shaped our world" - but declined due to scheduling conflicts, multiple anonymous current and former Kennedy Center employees told The Washington Post.
Instead, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the ceremony in December would see rockers KISS, stage star Michael Crawford, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, country musician George Strait and actor Sylvester Stallone honoured.
Trump announced the recipients on Wednesday from the Kennedy Center's Hall of Nations, where he unveiled five portraits draped in velvet, and he also admitted he himself had long wanted one of the prestigious accolades.
He said: "I waited and waited and waited, and I said, 'The hell with it, I'll become chairman and I'll give myself an honour ... Next year, we'll honour Trump, OK?"
The former Apprentice star was "very involved" in choosing the recipients and turned down some suggestions he did not personally approve of.
"... I had a couple of wokesters. Now, we have great people. This is very different than it used to be, very different," he said.
In a major change to the ceremony - which will take place in December, the president himself will serve as host.
While Cruise may have turned down the accolade, he will receive another honour, with the Top Gun: Maverick actor to receive an honorary Oscar at the 2025 Governors Awards, which take place in November.
Tom Cruise reportedly turned down a Kennedy Center honour.
The Mission: Impossible actor was offered the prestigious award - which "recognises and celebrates individuals whose unique artistic contributions have shaped our world" - but declined due to scheduling conflicts, multiple anonymous current and former Kennedy Center employees told The Washington Post.
Instead, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the ceremony in December would see rockers KISS, stage star Michael Crawford, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, country musician George Strait and actor Sylvester Stallone honoured.
Trump announced the recipients on Wednesday from the Kennedy Center's Hall of Nations, where he unveiled five portraits draped in velvet, and he also admitted he himself had long wanted one of the prestigious accolades.
He said: "I waited and waited and waited, and I said, 'The hell with it, I'll become chairman and I'll give myself an honour ... Next year, we'll honour Trump, OK?"
The former Apprentice star was "very involved" in choosing the recipients and turned down some suggestions he did not personally approve of.
"... I had a couple of wokesters. Now, we have great people. This is very different than it used to be, very different," he said.
In a major change to the ceremony - which will take place in December, the president himself will serve as host.
While Cruise may have turned down the accolade, he will receive another honour, with the Top Gun: Maverick actor to receive an honorary Oscar at the 2025 Governors Awards, which take place in November.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
12 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Michelle Yeoh promises new musical treats are on the way in Wicked: For Good
Michelle Yeoh has promised fans new musical treats are on the way in Wicked: For Good. The 63-year-old actress plays Madame Morrible in the sequel to the hit witch movie, and has now hinted it will feature new songs. She told People ahead of the arrival of the highly anticipated second installment of the Wicked film series: 'I think you're getting some new songs.' Michelle quickly added with a laugh: 'I didn't say that.' The Oscar-winning star, known for her work in both Hollywood and Chinese cinema, spoke while promoting two projects. Alongside Wicked: For Good, she is also lending her voice to the English-language version of the Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha II, in which she plays Lady Yin, the mother of the rebellious young demigod Ne Zha. The films' dual releases have kept the actress busy throughout 2025, with Wicked: For Good set to premiere on 21 November and Ne Zha II hitting theaters on 22 August. The new songs in Wicked: For Good were composed by Stephen Schwartz, who created the music and lyrics for the original Broadway show. He confirmed the additions to People at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony, saying: 'I have permission to say there are two new songs in the movie because the storytelling demanded it. 'One of them happens to be for the character of Elphaba. The other one happens to be for the character of Glinda.' Michelle also reflected on her ongoing connection with the Wicked cast. She said: 'I was just at Hollywood Bowl (for) Cynthia,' she said, referring to Cynthia Erivo's performance as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Michelle added: 'I love her. She was so amazing.' Discussing Ne Zha II, Michelle said about her enthusiasm for the project: 'I had seen Ne Zha II in Chinese, and even at that time I thought, 'I hope they do an English version, because you want little kids to be able to see it and understand'. 'So when they did come to me and said, 'Would this interest you?' I jumped right in.' She also praised the film's faithful adaptation of Chinese mythology, noting the balance between traditional storytelling and contemporary accessibility. Michelle said: 'The storytelling is so amazing because they have kept intact the classic myth of how it was before, but added that contemporary way of storytelling. 'So that's the bridge for the generational gap. Like we say, it is timeless, but timely.'
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Superman films actor Terence Stamp dies at age of 87
Terence Stamp, who made his name as an actor in 1960s London and went on to play the arch-villain General Zod in the Hollywood hits Superman and Superman II, has died aged 87, his family says. The Oscar-nominated actor starred in films ranging from Pier Paolo Pasolini's Theorem in 1968 and A Season in Hell in 1971 to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 1994 in which he played a transgender woman. The family said in a statement to Reuters that Stamp died on Sunday morning. "He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come," the family said. "We ask for privacy at this sad time." Born in London's East End in 1938, the son of a tugboat stoker, he endured the bombing of the city during World War II before leaving school to work initially in advertising, eventually winning a scholarship to go to drama school. Famous for his good looks and impeccable dress sense, he formed one of the United Kingdom's most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in Far From the Madding Crowd in 1967. He also dated the model Jean Shrimpton and was chosen as a muse by photographer David Bailey. After failing to land the role of James Bond to succeed Sean Connery, he appeared in Italian films and worked with Federico Fellini in the late 1960s. He dropped out of the limelight and studied yoga in India before landing his most high-profile role - as General Zod, the megalomaniacal leader of the Kryptonians, in Superman in 1978 and its sequel in 1980. He went on to appear in a string of other films, including Valkyrie with Tom Cruise in 2008, The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon in 2011 and movies directed by Tim Burton. Terence Stamp, who made his name as an actor in 1960s London and went on to play the arch-villain General Zod in the Hollywood hits Superman and Superman II, has died aged 87, his family says. The Oscar-nominated actor starred in films ranging from Pier Paolo Pasolini's Theorem in 1968 and A Season in Hell in 1971 to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 1994 in which he played a transgender woman. The family said in a statement to Reuters that Stamp died on Sunday morning. "He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come," the family said. "We ask for privacy at this sad time." Born in London's East End in 1938, the son of a tugboat stoker, he endured the bombing of the city during World War II before leaving school to work initially in advertising, eventually winning a scholarship to go to drama school. Famous for his good looks and impeccable dress sense, he formed one of the United Kingdom's most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in Far From the Madding Crowd in 1967. He also dated the model Jean Shrimpton and was chosen as a muse by photographer David Bailey. After failing to land the role of James Bond to succeed Sean Connery, he appeared in Italian films and worked with Federico Fellini in the late 1960s. He dropped out of the limelight and studied yoga in India before landing his most high-profile role - as General Zod, the megalomaniacal leader of the Kryptonians, in Superman in 1978 and its sequel in 1980. He went on to appear in a string of other films, including Valkyrie with Tom Cruise in 2008, The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon in 2011 and movies directed by Tim Burton. Terence Stamp, who made his name as an actor in 1960s London and went on to play the arch-villain General Zod in the Hollywood hits Superman and Superman II, has died aged 87, his family says. The Oscar-nominated actor starred in films ranging from Pier Paolo Pasolini's Theorem in 1968 and A Season in Hell in 1971 to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 1994 in which he played a transgender woman. The family said in a statement to Reuters that Stamp died on Sunday morning. "He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come," the family said. "We ask for privacy at this sad time." Born in London's East End in 1938, the son of a tugboat stoker, he endured the bombing of the city during World War II before leaving school to work initially in advertising, eventually winning a scholarship to go to drama school. Famous for his good looks and impeccable dress sense, he formed one of the United Kingdom's most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in Far From the Madding Crowd in 1967. He also dated the model Jean Shrimpton and was chosen as a muse by photographer David Bailey. After failing to land the role of James Bond to succeed Sean Connery, he appeared in Italian films and worked with Federico Fellini in the late 1960s. He dropped out of the limelight and studied yoga in India before landing his most high-profile role - as General Zod, the megalomaniacal leader of the Kryptonians, in Superman in 1978 and its sequel in 1980. He went on to appear in a string of other films, including Valkyrie with Tom Cruise in 2008, The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon in 2011 and movies directed by Tim Burton.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Priscilla, Superman actor Terence Stamp dies aged 87
Terence Stamp, who made his name as an actor in 1960s London and went on to play the arch-villain General Zod in the Hollywood hits 'Superman' and 'Superman II', has died aged 87, his family said on Sunday. The Oscar-nominated actor starred in films ranging from Pier Paolo Pasolini's 'Theorem' in 1968 and 'A Season in Hell' in 1971 to 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' in 1994 in which he played trans woman Bernadette Bassenger. The family said in a statement to Reuters that Stamp died on Sunday morning. 'He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer, that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come,' the family said. 'We ask for privacy at this sad time.' Born in London's East End in 1938, the son of a tugboat stoker, he endured the bombing of the city during World War Two before leaving school to work initially in advertising, eventually winning a scholarship to go to drama school. Famous for his good looks and impeccable dress sense, he formed one of Britain's most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in 'Far From the Madding Crowd' in 1967. He also dated the model Jean Shrimpton and was chosen as a muse by photographer David Bailey. After failing to land the role of James Bond to succeed Sean Connery, he appeared in Italian films and worked with Federico Fellini in the late 1960s. He dropped out of the limelight and studied yoga in India before landing his most high-profile role - as General Zod, the megalomaniacal leader of the Kryptonians, in 'Superman' in 1978 and its sequel in 1980.
