After appearing onscreen for nearly 50 years, Tom Cruise finally received his first Oscar Sunday night from the Academy Awards.

Cruise has been twice nominated for Best Actor, for his work in and , once for Best Supporting Actor for and once for Best Picture for producing .

During Sunday’s Governors Awards, the veteran actor was given an honorary statuette for “his unwavering commitment to our filmmaking community, his vital support of the theatrical experience, and his unmatched body of work.”

Cruise touts the power of movies

In his speech, Cruise, 63, paid tribute to the actors and directors he has worked with since he made his film debut with 1981’s .

“The cinema, it takes me around the world,” Cruise said. “It helps me to appreciate and respect differences. It shows me also our sh

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