Tom Cruise named 52nd AFI Life Achievement Award recipient

The American Film Institute named Tom Cruise the 52nd recipient of its Life Achievement Award on Oct. 21, 2026. Deadline reports that AFI's Board of Trustees announced the choice and that the award is scheduled to be presented at a gala tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 24, 2027.

Kathleen Kennedy, chair of AFI's board, praised Cruise's commitment as an actor and producer in a statement quoted by Deadline. She also singled out his “deep belief in movies and their ability to bring people together.”

Deadline lists Risky Business, Top Gun, Jerry Maguire, A Few Good Men and the series among Cruise's credits. It says the award was first presented to director John Ford in 1973.