In an era where franchise actors dominate the box office, Tom Cruise remains a singular force—a movie star in the truest sense. If you exclude the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he holds the title of the highest-grossing actor of all time, a feat largely credited to the enduring success of the Mission: Impossible series and the billion-dollar phenomenon that was Top Gun: Maverick. Steven Spielberg himself credited Cruise with saving the film industry from its post-pandemic slump, a claim few would dispute given the numbers he consistently pulls in.
Yet, beyond the high-octane action and gravity-defying stunts, Cruise has also made his mark in more critically acclaimed projects. Over the years, he’s collaborated with some of cinema’s most revered directors, delivering memorable performances in Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money, Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia. Despite his commercial dominance and undeniable acting chops, Hollywood’s golden statue has remained elusive—Cruise has been nominated for four Academy Awards but has yet to win one.
The Golden Globe Controversy
Cruise has, however, been recognized by the Golden Globes, winning three times for Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia. But in 2021, he made headlines for a different reason—he sent all three trophies back. His silent protest came amid mounting allegations against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the small group of journalists responsible for voting on the awards.
For years, the HFPA operated in secrecy, but in 2021, an investigation revealed a lack of diversity within its ranks—out of 87 members, not a single one was Black. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Reports surfaced accusing the organization of corruption, financial misconduct, and unethical behavior, with some members allegedly accepting lavish gifts and junkets in exchange for favorable press. Actress Scarlett Johansson even called out the group for sexist behavior at press events, likening it to the culture that enabled Harvey Weinstein’s abuses.
The backlash was swift. NBC announced it would no longer broadcast the Golden Globes, and within an hour of the decision, Cruise quietly returned his awards. He didn’t make a statement, didn’t grandstand—just handed them back and moved on.
The Oscar That Got Away
While Cruise’s rejection of the Globes made waves, the real question is why he has never won an Oscar. Over the years, he’s delivered performances worthy of the honor, but his best chance might have been his first nomination for Born on the Fourth of July (1989). Directed by Oliver Stone, the film featured Cruise in a transformative role as Ron Kovic, a paralyzed Vietnam War veteran turned anti-war activist.
Cruise’s competition that year was fierce—Kenneth Branagh (Henry V), Morgan Freeman (Driving Miss Daisy), Robin Williams (Dead Poets Society), and Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot). Ultimately, Day-Lewis took home the award, delivering a performance so masterful it’s difficult to argue against the win.
However, Oliver Stone believes that Cruise was robbed—not by Day-Lewis, but by Hollywood’s ultimate power broker at the time: Harvey Weinstein. The disgraced producer was infamous for his aggressive Oscar campaigns, using every tool at his disposal to secure wins for his films. According to Stone, Weinstein’s tactics ultimately swayed the Academy away from Cruise, denying him what could have been a career-defining victory.
Will Cruise Ever Win?
Decades later, Cruise remains at the top of his game, defying Hollywood’s obsession with youth as he continues to headline billion-dollar blockbusters. But his Oscar-less status lingers as one of the industry’s great curiosities. While some actors fade into the background after repeated snubs, Cruise has only doubled down, proving time and again that his presence alone can turn a movie into an event.
Whether or not he ever wins an Academy Award, one thing is certain—Tom Cruise isn’t just a movie star. He’s a Hollywood institution.
