US actor and film producer Tom Cruise will receive an honorary Oscar ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards, the organisers said Tuesday, marking a career first for the Hollywood veteran, AFP reported.

Cruise was selected to receive a statuette for his contributions to cinema, along with choreographer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas.

Dolly Parton will also be awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her decades-long humanitarian work, with the trophies presented at the Academy’s 16th Governors Awards event in November.

Cruise, 62, has had four Oscar nominations but has never won the prestigious prize, despite achieving global fame for his roles in action films Mission: Impossible and Top Gun.

“Tom Cruise’s incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunt community has inspired us all,” the Academy said in a statement.

It praised him as “one of the most recognised and highest-grossing actors of all time” and noted his commitment to performing all of his own stunts.

Allen, 75, was recognised for her five-decade career that has included choreographing the Academy Awards ceremony seven times and working on films including 1995 rom-com Forget Paris.

Meanwhile, Thomas was saluted for his production work on titles such as Malcolm X and Do the Right Thing.

At last year’s Governors Awards, the Academy honoured legendary figures from across the film industry, including the late Quincy Jones, who became the first Black producer ever nominated for best picture. Other recipients included celebrated casting director Juliet Taylor, Love Actually screenwriter and director Richard Curtis, and James Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

The upcoming 16th Governors Awards will again be presented in partnership with Rolex, the exclusive watch sponsor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.