Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award during the Governors Awards, delivering a heartfelt virtual speech after canceling her in-person appearance because of health concerns.
In her emotional message, the music icon thanked the Academy and reflected on the early lessons she learned about kindness and generosity, explaining how those values shaped her life and career. She also expressed deep gratitude to her longtime friend Lily Tomlin, who presented the award on her behalf inside the ceremony hall.
Parton said the honor inspires her to continue finding new ways to help others, calling the award a blessing and one of the most meaningful recognitions of her life. She now joins a distinguished list of past recipients that includes Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie and other public figures known for their humanitarian impact.
The Sunday ceremony also marked a major milestone for Tom Cruise, who received his first Academy Award after decades in the film industry. The action superstar delivered an emotional speech about the power of cinema, the way films connect cultures, and how storytelling has shaped his identity as an artist.
Cruise described filmmaking as a journey that has taken him across the world and said the honor represents one of the most significant moments of his career.
