The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented its 2025 Honorary Awards on Sunday at the Governors Awards in Los Angeles, where Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas were among this year’s recipients. They were honored alongside Tom Cruise, who also received an Honorary Oscar, and Dolly Parton, who received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Debbie Allen Receives Honorary Oscar
Actor, director, producer, and choreographer Debbie Allen, 75, was awarded an Honorary Oscar recognizing her multi-decade career in entertainment. Cynthia Erivo presented the award, praising Allen’s influence on performers and her contributions across stage and screen.
Allen’s body of work includes roles in Ragtime and Fame, producing the film Amistad, directing episodes across network television, and choreographing the Oscars ceremony seven times—four of which earned Emmy nominations. She has also been recognized with 21 Emmy nominations (five wins), three Golden Globe nominations (one win), and two Tony nominations, in addition to a previous Governors Award from the Television Academy.
During her speech, Allen thanked her sister, Phylicia Rashad, and her husband, former NBA player Norm Nixon, who attended the ceremony.
Footage from the weekend showed Allen celebrating ahead of the event at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, where she and fellow honoree Tom Cruise were seen dancing in videos shared on social media.
Wynn Thomas Honored for Contributions to Production Design
Production designer Wynn Thomas received an Honorary Oscar presented by Octavia Spencer. Thomas is one of the first Black production designers of major Hollywood films and is known for his extensive collaborations with Spike Lee, including Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, She’s Gotta Have It, and Da 5 Bloods.
His credits also include films such as A Beautiful Mind and Mars Attacks!. In his acceptance speech, Thomas spoke about his path into the industry and acknowledged the filmmakers he has worked with throughout his career.
Other Recipients
- Tom Cruise, 63, accepted an Honorary Oscar recognizing his four-decade career and advocacy for theatrical filmmaking.
- Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic work, with 9 to 5 co-star Lily Tomlin accepting on her behalf due to Parton’s prior commitments.
The Academy first announced the honorees in June, noting the awards recognize lifetime achievement, contributions to the motion picture arts and sciences, and exceptional service to the Academy.