The 16th Governors Awards, hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, took place on Sunday at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, honoring a stellar lineup of industry luminaries. Actor and producer Tom Cruise, choreographer and actor Debbie Allen, and production designer Wynn Thomas were each presented with Honorary Oscars for their extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement and exceptional contributions to motion picture arts and sciences. Music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton received the esteemed Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which she accepted via a pre-recorded message.

The annual event, expertly produced by Jennifer Fox, attracted a significant gathering of filmmakers, stars, and Oscar hopefuls. Among the notable attendees were director Guillermo del Toro, accompanied by his “Frankenstein” cast members Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth, along with costume designer Kate Hawley and composer Alexandre Desplat. Other prominent figures included Noah Baumbach and Adam Sandler from “Jay Kelly,” Edward Berger and Colin Farrell from “Ballad of a Small Player,” and Kate Winslet with writer Joe Anders from “Goodbye June.” Directors Clint Bentley, Richard Linklater, and Rian Johnson were also present with cast members from their respective films “Train Dreams,” “Nouvelle Vague,” and “Wake Up Dead Man.” “Wicked: For Good” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo charmed the room, as did Ethan Hawke from “Blue Moon” and Chloé Zhao from “Hamnet.”

Legendary production designer Wynn Thomas received his first Oscar, presented by Octavia Spencer. Thomas is widely recognized as the first African American production designer in film history, having collaborated with esteemed directors such as Spike Lee, Tim Burton, and Ron Howard on iconic films like “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “Hidden Figures,” and “A Beautiful Mind.” He also holds the distinction of being the first African American to join the Art Directors Guild and receive an Art Directors Guild award nomination. In his moving acceptance speech, Thomas shared his early life experiences of growing up poor and Black in Philadelphia, where he found solace and purpose in books. He delivered the night’s most memorable laugh, quipping, “The local gangs looked down on me and called me a sissy. But that sissy grew up to work with some great filmmakers!”

Choreographer and actor Debbie Allen was honored with an Honorary Oscar, presented by “Wicked for Good” star Cynthia Erivo, who affectionately referred to Allen as “Auntie.” Allen’s acceptance was marked by a playful and memorable moment when she spotted Tom Cruise in the audience. She couldn’t resist a nostalgic nod to his iconic “Risky Business” scene, teasing, “Honey, we loved when you slid out in those tightie-whities.” The crowd erupted in laughter and applause, as Allen reminded everyone of Cruise’s enduring charm and showmanship.

The Academy defines the Honorary Award as a recognition for “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy.” The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, also an Oscar statuette, is bestowed upon “an individual in the motion picture arts and sciences whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry by promoting human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities.” The 2024 Governors Awards ceremony had previously honored Quincy Jones (posthumously), casting director Juliet Taylor, screenwriter and director Richard Curtis, and longtime James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

Beyond the formal presentations, the un-televised ceremony was rich with heartfelt speeches, star-studded reunions, and candid moments. Some of the most memorable highlights from inside the room included Ariana Grande’s charming cross-generational interaction and photo with EJAE, the singer behind the hit “Golden,” and with singer-songwriter Aiyana-Lee. This moment beautifully showcased the Governors Awards’ unique blend of music, film, and rising talent.

Tom Cruise’s Honorary Oscar presentation was a focal point of the evening. Two-time best director winner Alejandro González Iñárritu, who described Cruise as an “Amores Perros” superfan and “the embodiment of movies,” presented the award. Iñárritu is set to direct Cruise in an upcoming untitled Warner Bros. film slated for 2026. The atmosphere around Cruise was electric, exemplified by Sydney Sweeney, who froze in star-struck awe when he approached her earlier in the evening, and Andra Day, who playfully adjusted his undone button mid-conversation. The palpable movie-star aura of Cruise remained undefeated throughout the night.

The event kicked off with a loose, deadpan introduction by Will Arnett, star of Bradley Cooper’s “Is This Thing On?,” who humorously credited Cooper for finally making a “good one.” Arnett then introduced co-star Andra Day, whose soulful cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” immediately followed Parton’s pre-recorded acceptance speech, earning huge applause. Austin Butler, the “Elvis” actor, played an unofficial usher, guiding “Wake Up Dead Man” star Josh O’Connor to his seat and later chatting with Jacob Elordi. Butler also engaged in conversations with Jennifer Lopez, who was there to support her film “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” and the cast of the Cannes darling “Sentimental Value,” including Renate Reinsve, Elle Fanning, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.

Tom Cruise’s career reel and heartfelt speech profoundly moved attendees, including “The Secret Agent” star Wagner Moura, who described Cruise’s tribute as “pure fuel” and expressed an immediate desire to “go make a movie right now.” The room itself was a constellation of stars, making navigation an “Olympic sport.” At one point, guests found themselves surrounded by Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Benicio Del Toro, Jennifer Lopez, Ted Sarandos, Hailee Steinfeld, Rian Johnson, Mark Hamill, Sydney Sweeney, and Cruise himself.

Comedy legend Lily Tomlin delivered a wild and wonderful, largely improvised 15-minute tribute to Dolly Parton, receiving a standing ovation. She candidly spoke about her double-vision issues and reminisced about pajama-party sleepovers with Jane Fonda and Parton during the making of their 1980 classic “9 to 5,” humorously questioning if Brando would invite Pacino and Duvall for a sleepover. A brief attempt by producers to start Parton’s pre-taped speech prompted Tomlin to pause and playfully ask if she was being nudged offstage. The evening also featured an “Uncut Gems” reunion, with Adam Sandler catching up with directors Benny and Josh Safdie, who were supporting their new films “The Smashing Machine” and “Marty Supreme.” This reunion spurred a flurry of table-hopping from filmmakers eager to greet them.

Filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, though without a movie this year, attended as guests and offered scarce details about their upcoming Ryan Gosling sci-fi adventure, “Project Hail Mary,” set for a March release. Miller teased that “Ryan is very emotional in it. Surprisingly emotional,” amidst rumors of the film’s excellence, though they confirmed it wasn’t “picture locked” yet. Guests at the awards dined on a gourmet menu that included smoked salmon Oscar matzahs, aged Parmesan, beet and truffle mushroom hummus, avocado purée with house-made lavosh, steak frites with roasted filet mignon, Café de Paris butter, French fries, and roasted Brussels sprouts. Dessert offerings included an espresso chocolate bonbon, raspberry linzer cookie, and caramelized lemon tart, complemented by La Clarté de Haut-Brion 2021, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2015, and Champagne Lallier R.021.