Tom Cruise to receive American Film Institute's prestigious lifetime honor

The American Film Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting cinema, has chosen Tom Cruise to receive its annual lifetime achievement award. Since its inception in 1973, the honor has been bestowed on legends such as Bette Davis, Gene Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Tom Hanks. Producer Kathleen Kennedy, chair of the AFI board of trustees, highlighted Cruise’s extraordinary commitment and his belief in movies’ power to unite audiences.

Cruise, nominated for three Academy Awards and the recipient of an honorary Oscar last year, is celebrated for his work as an actor and producer across a range of films. His recent project, the dark comedy “Digger,” opened to modest box-office results, finishing fifth in the U.S. and Canada. The award underscores his status as a leading advocate for the film industry.