Tom Cruise, Dolly Parton Receive Honorary Oscar

The 2025 Governors Awards is shaping up to be a party for Dolly Parton. The musician is one of this year’s honorary Oscar recipients, joining Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen, and Wynn Thomas.

“This year’s Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact,” Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Janet Yang said in a statement

Parton will also be presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in when the ceremony takes place at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on Nov. 16. In recognizing her philanthropic work, Yang said the country star “exemplifies the spirit” of the prize “through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts.”

In 1988, Parton launched the Dollywood Foundation, which was created “to inspire the children in her home county to achieve educational success,” per the foundation website. The organization provides scholarships for graduating high school seniors and began the literacy program Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library back in 1995. This past October, Parton partnered with the Dollywood Foundation to donate $2 million to relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.

Parton’s history with the Academy dates back to 1981 when she received her first Best Original Song nomination for “9 to 5” from the film of the same name, in which she starred as Doralee Rhodes. She was nominated again in 2006 for “Travelin’ Thru” from Transamerica.

“The Academy’s Board of Governors is honored to recognize these brilliant artists,” Yang said of Parton and the three artists she’ll be sharing the spotlight with. “Debbie Allen is a trailblazing choreographer and actor, whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres. Tom Cruise’s incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community has inspired us all … And production designer Wynn Thomas has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft.”