Tom Cruise is finally getting an Oscar — as will Dolly Parton, Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas
By LINDSEY BAHR
Thirty-five years after Tom Cruise received his first Oscar nomination, he's finally getting a trophy. It's not for his death-defying stunts, either. At least, not exclusively.
Cruise, choreographer Debbie Allen and 'Do The Right Thing' production designer Wynn Thomas have all been selected to receive honorary Oscar statuettes at the annual Governors Awards, the film academy said Tuesday. Dolly Parton will also be recognized with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her decades-long charitable work in literacy and education.
'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,' Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement.
Most recipients of the prize historically have not yet won a competitive Oscar themselves. Cruise, 62, has been nominated four times, twice for best actor in 'Born on the Fourth of July' and 'Jerry Maguire,' once for supporting actor in 'Magnolia' and once for best picture with 'Top Gun: Maverick.' He's also championed theatrical moviegoing and big-scale Hollywood production through the coronavirus pandemic.
Yang spotlighted Cruise's 'incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community.'
Allen, 75, has never been nominated for an Oscar. But the multi-hyphenate entertainer — she also acts and produces — has played an integral role in the Oscars show, having choreographed seven ceremonies over the years. Four of those were nominated for prime-time Emmy awards.
A nomination had also eluded Thomas, a leading production designer whose films have often gone on to best picture nominations and even one win, for Ron Howard's 'A Beautiful Mind.' Thomas is most known for his long-term collaboration with filmmaker Spike Lee, from 'She's Gotta Have It' and 'Malcolm X' through 'Da 5 Bloods.'
Parton has been nominated twice for best original song, for '9 to 5' and, in 2006, 'Travelin' Thru' from the film 'Transamerica.' But her honor celebrates her humanitarian efforts over the years, through organizations like the Dollywood Foundation and the literary program 'Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.'
Yang said Parton 'exemplifies the spirit' of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
The awards will be handed out during an untelevised ceremony on Nov. 16 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles. Last year's recipients included the late Quincy Jones, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, filmmaker Richard Curtis and casting director Juliet Taylor.
Recipients of the prizes, which honor lifetime achievement, contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences and service to the academy are selected by the film academy's board of governors.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Today
10 hours ago
- Japan Today
Tom Cruise is finally getting an Oscar — as will Dolly Parton, Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas
By LINDSEY BAHR Thirty-five years after Tom Cruise received his first Oscar nomination, he's finally getting a trophy. It's not for his death-defying stunts, either. At least, not exclusively. Cruise, choreographer Debbie Allen and 'Do The Right Thing' production designer Wynn Thomas have all been selected to receive honorary Oscar statuettes at the annual Governors Awards, the film academy said Tuesday. Dolly Parton will also be recognized with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her decades-long charitable work in literacy and education. '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,' Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement. Most recipients of the prize historically have not yet won a competitive Oscar themselves. Cruise, 62, has been nominated four times, twice for best actor in 'Born on the Fourth of July' and 'Jerry Maguire,' once for supporting actor in 'Magnolia' and once for best picture with 'Top Gun: Maverick.' He's also championed theatrical moviegoing and big-scale Hollywood production through the coronavirus pandemic. Yang spotlighted Cruise's 'incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community.' Allen, 75, has never been nominated for an Oscar. But the multi-hyphenate entertainer — she also acts and produces — has played an integral role in the Oscars show, having choreographed seven ceremonies over the years. Four of those were nominated for prime-time Emmy awards. A nomination had also eluded Thomas, a leading production designer whose films have often gone on to best picture nominations and even one win, for Ron Howard's 'A Beautiful Mind.' Thomas is most known for his long-term collaboration with filmmaker Spike Lee, from 'She's Gotta Have It' and 'Malcolm X' through 'Da 5 Bloods.' Parton has been nominated twice for best original song, for '9 to 5' and, in 2006, 'Travelin' Thru' from the film 'Transamerica.' But her honor celebrates her humanitarian efforts over the years, through organizations like the Dollywood Foundation and the literary program 'Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.' Yang said Parton 'exemplifies the spirit' of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The awards will be handed out during an untelevised ceremony on Nov. 16 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles. Last year's recipients included the late Quincy Jones, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, filmmaker Richard Curtis and casting director Juliet Taylor. Recipients of the prizes, which honor lifetime achievement, contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences and service to the academy are selected by the film academy's board of governors. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Kyodo News
20 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Man arrested for selling AI-colorized pirated 1954 "Godzilla" film
KYODO NEWS - 1 hour ago - 19:30 | All, Japan A man in Osaka Prefecture has been arrested for allegedly selling a pirated version of the 1954 black-and-white film "Godzilla," which he apparently colorized using artificial intelligence, police said Tuesday. Ippei Miyamoto, a 66-year-old part-time worker, is accused of having sold the DVD -- which features the iconic fire-breathing, city-stomping giant reptilian monster -- for 2,980 yen ($21) to a man in Tokyo last November. Police suspect Miyamoto used AI-equipped software to add color and produce the DVD. Miyamoto, who was arrested on Monday, has admitted to the charge, saying, "I sold it knowing it was a crime." He is also believed to have sold about 1,500 fake DVDs, ranging from 3,000 yen to 30,000 yen, on online flea market websites from January 2024 to May 2025, earning at least 1.7 million yen, according to the police. He had advertised the films as being "legal" and "masterpieces colored by AI." Toho Co., which distributes and owns the copyright to the long-running Godzilla franchise, filed a complaint with the police in February this year, leading authorities to search Miyamoto's house on Monday and confiscate about 70 DVDs. The Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan, of which Toho is a member, said that it has been aware that pirated color copies of films had been circulating and vowed to strengthen its watch over unauthorized production. Related coverage: Japan's latest Godzilla film wins Oscar for best visual effects
Japan Today
5 days ago
- Japan Today
Weinstein case judge declares mistrial on remaining rape charge as jury foreperson won't deliberate
Harvey Weinstein appears in state court in Manhattan as jurors return to deliberations on a remaining charge in his retrial on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in New York. (Christian Monterrosa/Pool Photo via AP) By JENNIFER PELTZ and MICHAEL R. SISAK Harvey Weinstein 's sex crimes retrial came to a disjointed end Thursday as the jury foreperson declined to deliberate and the judge declared a mistrial on a remaining rape charge, a day after a split verdict on other charges in the landmark #MeToo-era case. The outcome positions the ex-studio boss for a third New York trial — prosecutors said they're ready to retry the rape count — even as he faces a new sentencing on his sexual assault conviction. Weinstein, 73, denies all the charges. The Oscar-winning movie producer had a blank, drained expression as court officers escorted him out Thursday in his wheelchair. His lawyer said he plans to appeal. 'What happened in that jury room was absolutely improper,' attorney Arthur Aidala said outside court. Weinstein is due back in court July 2 for discussion of retrial and sentencing dates. His first-degree criminal sex act conviction carries the potential for up to 25 years in prison, while the unresolved third-degree rape charge is punishable by up to four years — less than he already has served. He's been behind bars since his initial conviction in 2020, and he later also was sentenced to prison in a separate California case, which he's appealing. In Wednesday's partial verdict, Weinstein was convicted of one criminal sex act charge but acquitted of another. Both concerned accusations of forcing oral sex on women in 2006. Those verdicts still stand. While the jury of seven women and five men was unanimous on those decisions, it got stuck on the rape charge involving another woman, Jessica Mann. The hairstylist and actor testified at length — as she did in 2020 — that Weinstein raped her amid a years-long consensual relationship. 'I will never give up on myself and making sure my voice – and the truth – is heard," Mann said in a statement Thursday, confirming she's ready to testify yet again. Jury-room strains started leaking into public view Friday, when a juror asked to be excused because he felt another was being treated unfairly. Then Monday, the foreperson complained that other jurors were pushing people to change their minds and talking about information beyond the charges. The man raised concerns again Wednesday, telling the judge he felt afraid in the jury room because another juror was yelling at him for sticking to his opinion and suggested the foreperson would 'see me outside.' When Judge Curtis Farber asked the foreperson Thursday whether he was willing to return to deliberations, the man said said no. And with that, Farber declared a mistrial on the rape count. Two jurors disputed the foreperson's account as they left court. One, Chantan Holmes, said that no one mistreated the man and that she believed he was just tired of deliberating. 'We all felt bad. Because we really wanted to do this. We put our hearts and souls in here,' she said. Another jury member, who identified himself only by his juror number, said the deliberations were contentious, but respectful. Weinstein's 2020 conviction seemed to cement the downfall of one of Hollywood's most powerful men in a pivotal moment for the # MeToo movement. The anti-sexual-misconduct campaign was fueled by allegations against him. But that conviction was overturned last year, and the case was sent back for retrial in the same Manhattan courthouse. Weinstein's accusers said he exploited his Tinseltown influence to dangle career help, get them alone and then trap and force them into sexual encounters. 'These hopeful young women were trying to follow their dreams in a world that he controlled,' Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, said at a news conference Thursday. Weinstein's defense portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then later said they were victimized to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation. Miriam Haley, the producer and production assistant whom Weinstein was convicted — twice, now — of sexually assaulting, said outside court Wednesday that the new verdict 'gives me hope.' Accuser Kaja Sokola also called it 'a big win for everyone,' even though Weinstein was acquitted of forcibly performing oral sex on her when she was a 19-year-old fashion model. Her allegation was added to the case after the retrial was ordered. Holmes, the juror who spoke outside court, said the panel all felt Sokola "wasn't credible.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
