why does tom cruise not go to the oscars

Why Tom Cruise Wasn't At the Oscars

The Top Gun: Maverick star didn't turn up for the big awards night, despite the film's multiple nominations.

The long-awaited sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun , Top Gun: Maverick , became a must-watch film in 2022. But while the blockbuster garnered five Academy Award nominations, including a nod for Best Picture, along with Best Adapted Screenplay, sound and film editing, visual effects and Best Original Song, one major player was missing from the festivities tonight: the franchise's star, Tom Cruise.

Despite starring in both the original film, as well as the long-anticipated sequel, Cruise did not make an appearance on the red carpet at the 2023 Oscars tonight. Though the film became an awards show darling, Cruise himself did not receive any Academy Award nominations for his performance. Nonetheless, it was expected by many that the star would turn up for any potential wins for the film.

On Sunday, however, a representative for Cruise told People that Cruise would not be in attendance on the big night due to scheduling obligations for Cruise's currently in the works sequel known as Mission Impossible 8 . According to the publication, producer Jerry Bruckheimer is slated to accept the award if Top Gun: Maverick recieves the Best Picture Nomination

Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.

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Where is Tom Cruise? Why the 'Top Gun' star skipped the 2023 Oscars

Despite "Top Gun: Maverick" being nominated for six honors, including best picture, the film's star Tom Cruise was not in attendance for the Academy Awards on March 12 in Hollywood.

His absence from the iconic Dolby Theatre on Sunday did not go unnoticed by host Jimmy Kimmel, who called out both Cruise and "Avatar" director James Cameron for skipping the event during his lengthy monologue at the beginning of the broadcast.

After quipping that Cameron might have skipped the ceremony after not being nominated for best director, Kimmel then launched into Cruise.

"Everyone loved 'Top Gun' I mean, everyone." Kimmel said. "Tom Cruise with his shirt off in that beach football scene? ... Hubba hubba!"

"Tom Cruise and James Cameron didn't show up tonight. The two guys who insisted we go to the theater didn't come to the theater."

Kimmel went on to joke that Cruise might actually be in the theater dressed as actor Judd Hirsch in a "Mission Impossible" mask. As the camera panned to Hirsch, the "Fabelmans" star pantomimed pulling his face off like a mask.

A spokesperson for Cruise confirmed to People that the actor had to miss the awards ceremony because he is filming "Mission: Impossible 8" overseas. Entertainment Tonight reports that if "Top Gun" wins best picture, producer Jerry Bruckheimer will accept the award.

The film, which is a sequel to the original "Top Gun" released in 1986, was also nominated for best adapted screenplay, best film editing, best original song, best visual effects and best sound.

Hosted by  Jimmy Kimmel for the third time , the  2023 Oscars  are broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the  red carpet starting earlier . The 2023 Oscars are  available to watch on ABC  and various streaming platforms. 

Leading the list of nominees  include “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” The  list of performers and presenters  includes Rihanna, following her  Super Bowl halftime show , and the viral  Telegu-language hit “Naatu Naatu .”

Follow  TODAY.com  for complete Oscars coverage,  including this year’s winners  and unexpected moments.

Sam Kubota is a senior digital editor and journalist for TODAY Digital based in Los Angeles. She joined NBC News in 2019.

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Both Tom Cruise and filmmaker James Cameron opted out of the 2023 Oscars despite their respective films being nominated for multiple awards. By Hayley Peppin

TWO OF THE MOST nominated people at the 2023 Oscars seemingly gave this year’s ceremony the flick. Tom Cruise of Top Gun: Maverick and James Cameron, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Avatar: The Way of Water , didn’t attend the 95th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 12 — in spite of their insistence for people to return to the movies.

“The two guys who insisted you go to the theatre, didn’t go to the theatre,” 2023 Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel joked during his monologue.

Cruise, who just a month earlier attended an Oscars nominee luncheon at the Beverly Hilton hotel, was absent from cinema’s biggest night due to overseas production on his eighth Mission: Impossible instalment. While Top Gun was up for six awards, it won just one category — that being Best Sound. While Everything Everywhere All At Once won Best Picture , the 60-year-old actor and producer reportedly planned for producer Jerry Bruckheimer to accept the award on his behalf if Top Gun: Maverick emerged victorious. The film, which Steven Spielberg said in a viral video “saved Hollywood’s ass ,” grossed $1.43 billion at the box office.

Related : ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ sweeps 2023 Oscars including Best Actress and Best Picture

Meanwhile, Cameron, who was nominated as a producer of Avatar: The Way of Water , also didn’t show up despite the sci-fi hit being the No. 3 highest-grossing movie of all time — garnering $2.93 billion globally. While a rep didn’t confirm his absence, his producing partner and fellow nominee Jon Landau told The New York Times he opted out due to “personal reasons.” Rumours suggest he was unhappy he didn’t receive acknowledgement in the best director category.

Kimmel played into such speculation during his opening monologue, quipping, “Some of the cynics are saying James Cameron isn’t here because he didn’t get a Best Director nomination. And while I find that very hard to believe about a man of such deep humility, he does have a point. I mean, how does the Academy not nominate the guy who directed  Avatar ? What do they think he is, a woman?”

Avatar: The Way of Water earned four nominations but won just one with, unsurprisingly, Best Visual Effects. Back in 2010, the original Avatar won the same category, along with Best Cinematography and Best Production Design.

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Oscars 2023: The 95th Academy Awards

By Tori B. Powell, Mike Hayes, Matt Meyer and Seán Federico O'Murchú, CNN

Why Tom Cruise and James Cameron aren't at the Oscars

From CNN"s Lisa Respers France

Two of the people being credited with getting audiences back in the theater apparently have skipped the biggest night that celebrates movies.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel mentioned in his opening monologue that both Tom Cruise and James Cameron were not in attendance, though he joked that perhaps Cruise was there, dressed as nominee Judd Hirsch.

While Cruise's blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" is nominated for best film, Deadline reported the star was skipping the show because of work.

Meanwhile, Kimmel mentioned there was some speculation that Cameron sat this one out because he had not been nominated in the directing category for "Avatar: The Way of Water," which is also nominated for best film.

"Avatar" producer Jon Landau said on the red carpet (which was really champagne-colored ) that Cameron was not coming for “personal reasons."

Guillermo Del Toro's "Pinocchio" wins the award for best animated feature

Guillermo Del Toro's "Pinocchio" took home the Academy Award for best animated feature. It was the first award announced of the night.

"Animation is ready to be taken to the next step," Del Toro said while accepting the award. "We are all ready for it. Please help us. Keep animation in the conversation."

The filmmaker, who used stop-motion animation to create the latest "Pinocchio" adaptation, went on to thank his family and Netflix.

Jimmy Kimmel jokes he's protecting himself this year after last year's slap

From CNN's Marianne Garvey

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel jokes that if any audience member wants to incite violence or "get jiggy with it," in a reference to Will Smith's song, "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It," he's got backup.

Kimmel joked that they would have to get through Michelle Yeoh, Michael B. Jordan, Steven Spielberg and many others to get to him on stage.

Background: During 2022’s ceremony, Smith walked on stage at the Oscars and slapped Chris Rock, who was presenting at the time, after he made a joke about Smith’s wife’s shaved head.

Smith  later apologized , but The Academy sanctioned the actor by  banning him from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years.

Jimmy Kimmel says this year "the world finally got out of the house" to see movies in the theater

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel opened the show by declaring this the year "when the world finally got out of the house" to see the nominated films the way they were intended to be seen: in a theater.

The host entered the stage for his opening monologue via parachute, in a reference to his opening "Top Gun" skit , cracked a joke about adjusting his "danger zone" and teased Nicole Kidman for her viral AMC Theatres campaign .

Kimmel noted there are 16 first-time nominees at this year's Oscars.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel's "Top Gun" call sign is Meatball

Jimmy Kimmel first appeared at the 95th Oscars ceremony in a skit where he pretended to be in the "Top Gun" movie franchise.

Sitting behind Tom Cruise in a fighter jet, he pulls off a helmet labeled with the call sign "Meatball." Cruise advised him to eject from the plane, then Kimmel dropped on to the stage via parachute.

"Top Gun: Maverick" is nominated in several categories this evening.

The 2023 Oscars are underway

The 95th Academy Awards have begun at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Jimmy Kimmel returns to host the event for a third time.

It's time to see which of Hollywood's biggest stars take home the honors.

Photos: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” on the red carpet

From CNN Style’s Stephy Chung

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” leads the Oscars with 11 nominations. And the genre-defying movie’s cast turned up in style.

Michelle Yeoh was among the night’s best-dressed celebrities in a white-feathered Dior gown, while James Hong arrived on the champagne-colored carpet wearing one of the night’s boldest accessory: a blue bowtie adorned with — in a nod to the film — a pair of googly eyes.

See the pictures below, and more of our red carpet coverage here .

Here's who's nominated for Academy Awards

The 95th Academy Awards is set to take place at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre tonight. Here's a look at the nominees:

Best picture

• “All Quiet on the Western Front”
• “Avatar: The Way of Water”
• “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• “The Fabelmans”
• “Top Gun: Maverick”
• “Triangle of Sadness”
• “Women Talking”

Actress in a supporting role

• Angela Bassett, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
• Hong Chau, “The Whale”
• Kerry Condon, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• Stephanie Hsu, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Actor in a supporting role

• Brendan Gleeson, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Brian Tyree Henry, “Causeway”
• Judd Hirsch, “The Fabelmans”
• Barry Keoghan, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Actor in a leading role

• Austin Butler, “Elvis”
• Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”
• Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”
• Bill Nighy, “Living”

Actress in a leading role

• Cate Blanchett, “Tár”
• Ana de Armas, “Blonde”
• Andrea Riseborough, “To Leslie”
• Michelle Williams, “The Fabelmans”
• Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

See the full list of nominees here .

A-listers arrive on the red carpet in white

Stars are arriving dressed-to-the-nines at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 95th Academy Awards. One of the trends to emerge this year is the color white — with stars like Michelle Yeoh and Halle Berry embracing the trend.

The Oscars are one of the most anticipated nights of fashion. Check out our red carpet coverage here . 

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Why Wasn't Tom Cruise At the 2023 Oscars?

I'll give Hollywood an impossible mission: get Tom Cruise to show up at your awards show.

It turns out that Cruise is too busy filming Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning, Part II in the UK , Entertainment Tonight reports . He's doing what he loves, folks—making movies for us. Cruise previously teased his upcoming Mission Impossible stunt where he jumps a motorcycle off of a cliff . Here's hoping he tries to blast into space next. Next time the man is up for more trophies, I'll give Hollywood an impossible mission: get Tom Cruise to show up at your awards show.

Still, that doesn't mean the Cruise jokes stopped at the 95th Academy Awards. "Everyone loved Top Gun , everyone," Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel joked at the beginning of the show. "Tom Cruise with his shirt off in that beach football scene? L. Ron Hubba Hubba!” Scientology bits! A classic Hollywood gag. "Tom (Cruise) and James Cameron didn’t show up tonight," Kimmel continued, after parachuting into the venue as part of a Top Gun skit. "The two guys who insisted we go to the theater, did not show up at the theater." I'm sure some folks at home were wondering if jokes like these were the real reason Cruise didn't show up tonight. Either way, Cruise certainly isn't feeling down. Top Gun: Maverick received six nominations at the Oscars tonight, including Best Original Song, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture.

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Tom Cruise  will not be at the 95th Academy Awards.

ET has confirmed the  Top Gun: Maverick  star's absence is due to him already being back on set overseas for Mission: Impossible -- Dead Reckoning Part II  in the United Kingdom. Top Gun: Maverick  is nominated for six Oscars. Should the film win the night's biggest category (Best Picture), producer Jerry Bruckheimer will accept the award. 

Besides Best Picture, the film is also nominated for Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Film Editing, Sound, Music (Original Song) and Visual Effects.

News that Cruise will not be in Hollywood for the event comes just hours after it was revealed Lady Gaga will, in fact, perform her Oscar-nominated Top Gun: Maverick single, "Hold My Hand." It had previously been reported she would not be able to make the event, but plans changed and she'll now not only attend but also perform her hit song.

Initially, Oscars producer Glen Weiss said Gaga was invited to perform but was unable to make the commitment at the time. 

Because she's in the middle of shooting a new movie, Weiss said Gaga didn't feel like she could deliver a performance at the caliber that she's used to doing at the annual awards show.  

That movie, of course, is  Joker: Folie à Deux , a sequel to  2019's  Joker , which started production at the end of 2022. 

Earlier this year,  Jay Ellis  spoke with ET and reflected on the film's massive success at the box office and the opportunity to work with Hollywood royalty.

"It's wild, man. It's wild," Ellis said at the premiere of his new film,  Somebody I Used to Know , explaining that when they all first started working on the sequel four years ago, "We just wanted people to go see it. We just wanted to work with Tom Cruise. We just wanted to work with [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer and [director] Joe Kosinski." 

He added, "This is a dream." 

The  2023 Academy Awards  hosted by Jimmy Kimmel will air live on Sunday, March 12 starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. In the meantime, keep checking back into  ETonline.com  for complete  Oscars coverage .

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They saved cinema – so why weren’t Tom Cruise and James Cameron at the Oscars?

Jimmy Kimmel joked: ‘The two guys who insisted we go to the theater didn’t come the theater.’ So where were Cruise and Cameron?

They were the two men credited with saving cinema, getting bums back on seats in cinemas around the world after months and months of Covid-19 lockdowns. And yet neither James Cameron or Tom Cruise showed up to the 2023 Oscars .

Cruise’s film Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to the 1986 hit, grossed $1.4bn at the global box office. Its huge success was widely considered a sign that the industry had recovered after months of uncertainty, showing Covid-wary audiences were willing to return for the right film.

Cruise is the star of Top Gun: Maverick, but also a producer, which meant he was nominated in the best picture category, alongside Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison and Jerry Bruckheimer.

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On Sunday, a representative for Cruise confirmed the actor is filming Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part II, the action franchise’s upcoming eighth instalment, in Europe. Bruckheimer was prepared to accept the Oscar if the film had won best picture, which instead went to Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Top Gun: Maverick only won one of the six awards it was up for: best sound. It was the dark horse nominee for best picture, but has been widely credited with luring back audiences who wanted to see the big-budget action flick on a cinema screen.

Last month, director Steven Spielberg was filmed telling Cruise at the 2023 Academy Luncheon: “You saved Hollywood’s ass, and you might have saved theatrical distribution. Seriously, Maverick might have saved the entire theatrical industry.”

Cameron, meanwhile, was nominated as a producer of best picture nominee Avatar: The Way of Water, which is now the No. 3 highest-grossing movie of all time, having taken $2.29bn at the global box office . Avatar: The Way of Water was nominated for four Oscars including best picture, but only won one, for best visual effects.

Cameron’s producing partner and fellow nominee Jon Landau told The New York Times that his absence was due to “personal reasons”. Cameron had attended two Oscars functions in the days before the ceremony.

This year’s Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel joked about their absences, saying: “You know, Tom [Cruise] and James Cameron didn’t show up tonight. The two guys who insisted we go to the theatre didn’t come the theatre.”

“Everyone loved Top Gun, everyone! I mean, Tom Cruise with his shirt off and that beach football scene? L Ron hubba hubba,” Kimmel joked, referring to Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard.

He also addressed the possibility that Cameron had not attended due to not being nominated for best director, saying: “Some of the cynics are saying James Cameron isn’t here because he didn’t get a best director nomination. And while I find that very hard to believe about a man of such deep humility, he does have a point. I mean, how does the Academy not nominate the guy who directed Avatar? What do they think he is, a woman?”

“You know a show is too long when even James Cameron can’t sit through it,” he added, in reference to Avatar: The Way of Water’s 192-minute running time.

Cruise will next be on screens in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning: Part I in July, while the next Avatar film will be released in December 2024.

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Why Tom Cruise Was A No-Show At The 2023 Oscars

"Top Gun: Maverick" soared into the Oscars with six nominations, but Tom Cruise wasn't in attendance to see how well the film fared on the biggest night of the year for movies.

Deadline  was the first to confirm that Cruise would not be attending the 95th Academy Awards event because the actor returned to work. The report also stated that he had been working in Sicily and the United Kingdom and that his commitments to his craft and career forced him to miss the prestigious affair. Cruise has taken on the arduous endeavor of completing his work on "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two," the follow-up to the expected upcoming 2023 summer, a film which many hope will have the same effect on the box office that the Oscar-nominated "Top: Gun Maverick" had when it grossed over $1 billion in 2022. And its exceptional run didn't end there, as the film also earned high-flying scores on Rotten Tomatoes . In addition to its successful flight in theaters, the critically acclaimed blockbuster was nominated for Best Picture, as well as several other honors, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song, Best Film editing, and Best Visual effects. Cruise himself even recieved an Oscar nod as one of the film's producers. 

While Cruise may not have in the audience to see how well the "Top Gun" sequel did, the Oscars were obsessed with the superstar skipping the event. 

Jimmy Kimmel called out Tom Cruise for skipping the ceremony

While Tom Cruise is hard at work delivering his next big screen spectacle, Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel couldn't help but point out how the superstar skipped the ceremony. During his opening monologue, Kimmel called out the "Top Gun: Maverick" actor and "Avatar: The Way of Water" director James Cameron for not showing up to the year's biggest celebration of cinema, despite being the two most vocal supporters of the theatrical experience. "The two guys who insisted we come to the theatre, didn't come to the [Dolby Theatre]," Kimmel said to applause and laughter.

Kimmel continued his monologue by jokingly suggesting that Cruise disguised himself as "The Fabelmans" nominee Judd Hirsch, à la "Mission: Impossible." The host wrapped up his time by pointing out Cruise's athletic body in "Top Gun: Maverick"... and tying it into his belief of Scientology. "Tom Cruise with his shirt off in that beach football scene? L. Ron Hubba Hubba!" Kimmel said. 

Cruise may not have been at the Oscars but Lady Gaga certainly was, delivering a mighty and powerful rendition of her Oscar-nominated track "Hold My Hand" from the "Maverick" soundtrack.

Lady Gaga performed 'Hold My Hand' at the Oscars

It was previously reported that Lady Gaga would be skipping the event due to her commitments to producing the Joker sequel "Joker: Folie à Deux." Hours before the 2023 Oscars,  Variety confirmed that the pop sensation would on the stage, ready to sing "Holy My Hand."  

Like the film, the song received significant amounts of critical acclaim, with Variety calling it an Oscar front-runner early on, and it was well received by fans, especially considering the music video for the song has over 155 million views on YouTube . And as far as honors go, the song has already received some awards attention with a nomination from the Grammy  Awards for Best Song Written for Media, and the soundtrack for the film itself was also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. While it didn't win either of those accolades, it did have a chance to win at the Oscars, and there is no denying having Lady Gaga perform the track in person will add to the enjoyable experience viewers are in for when they tune in to see the big winners.

"Top Gun: Maverick" fans will likely agree that not having Tom Cruise in the mix is a bit of a bummer, but many viewers will agree Lady Gaga is a solid backup to represent the sequel at the 95th Academy Awards.

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Tom cruise, james cameron skip 2023 oscars.

The pair are in the Oscar race for 'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'Avatar: The Way of Water,' respectively

By Aaron Couch

Aaron Couch

Film Editor

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Tom Cruise and James Cameron, two champions of the theatrical experience behind the biggest movies of 2022 skipped the 2023 Oscars.

“The two guys who insisted you go to the theater, didn’t go to the theater,” host Jimmy Kimmel quipped during his monologue.

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Cameron, meanwhile, is nominated as a producer of Avatar: The Way of Water , the No. 3 highest-grossing movie of all time with $2.93 billion globally. He did not receive a best director nod for his work on the sequel. His producing partner and fellow nominee Jon Landau told The New York Times on the carpet that the absence was due to “personal reasons.”

Maverick is considered a dark horse candidate for best picture, but the feature was widely credited with helping get audiences back to theaters, with Steven Spielberg telling Cruise at the 2023 Academy Luncheon that he saved theaters .

Though Cruise was treated as royalty at that event as well as at the PGA Awards , he was mocked at the Golden Globes and the DGA Awards .

“I like to see people do well. I know that things don’t just happen. I know it’s not just luck. You have to create that luck. You have to will it into existence. I want you to know that I’m always rooting for you. I’m rooting for all of you,” Cruise said while accepting the David O. Selznick Achievement Award during the  2023 PGA Awards .

Top Gun: Maverick is nominated for six Oscars, including best song for Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand.” Cruise will return to theaters with Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning: Part One , which arrives in theaters July 14.

Avatar: The Way of Water earned four nominations. A sequel is due out Dec. 20, 2024.

See the star-studded Oscars red carpet arrivals .

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Mission Impossible: Why Tom Cruise, James Cameron, and Chris Rock Weren’t at the Oscars

By Savannah Walsh

A slew of A-list stars attended the Oscars 2023 —and walked that surprisingly chic  champagne carpet —in celebration of the  95th Academy Awards , where  Everything Everywhere All at Once  was the night’s big winner. But celebrities cannot, in fact, be everywhere all at once—and several major players were missing from Sunday’s ceremony as well.

Host  Jimmy Kimmel  noted a few of these absences during  his monologue , where he joked, “You know, Tom Cruise and James Cameron didn’t show up tonight. The two guys who insisted we go to the theater didn’t come to the theater.”

There were a few surprise attendees Sunday, including Cocaine Bear, Jenny the Donkey, and  Lady Gaga . But if you’re wondering where some of those missing major players were instead of the 2023 Oscars, read on. 

Cruise, nominated as a producer for best-picture-contender Top Gun: Maverick, has been largely missing from the awards circuit this year—outside of the  Oscar Nominees Luncheon , where  Steven Spielberg   reportedly  told him he “saved Hollywood’s ass.” But his absence at the 95th Academy Awards was unexpected, as Kimmel  told  The Hollywood Reporter that Cruise would attend. Alas, a representative for the actor later told  People that Cruise was overseas filming  Mission: Impossible 8, making any appearance at the Oscars—well, impossible. Kimmel took Cruise’s truancy as an opportunity to make a Scientology joke. “Tom Cruise with his shirt off? L. Ron Hubba Hubba,” he quipped.

James Cameron

Cameron, whose blockbuster epic Avatar: The Way of Water was nominated for best picture, didn’t attend because of “personal reasons,” his fellow producer  Jon Landau   told   The New York Times ’  Kyle Buchanan. But Kimmel seemed to suggest that Cameron’s failure to secure a directing nod was a contributing factor in his nonattendance. “I mean, how does the Academy not nominate the guy who directed  Avatar ?” Kimmel asked. “What do they think he is, a woman?” (Only seven women have been nominated for best director in the Oscars’ 95-year history—and zero in 2023.)

Glenn Close

The eight-time Academy Award nominee, who has yet to win an Oscar, continued her unlucky streak with the organization by  testing positive for COVID ahead of the ceremony, as reported by the  Associated Press . Close was meant to reunite with  Harrison Ford, her costar in 1997’s  Air Force One, to present best picture. While Close isolated and rested, Ford went it alone for the night’s biggest award. At least Close’s Oscars history will always have “ Da Butt .” 

The two men at the center of the  biggest scandal in Oscars history were unsurprisingly not in attendance at Sunday’s ceremony, although  jokes about the incident were littered throughout the telecast. During the show, Rock, who declined the Oscars hosting job in favor of speaking out via his own  live Netflix special , was spotted at a Miami viewing party. As seen in a  video posted to Twitter , comedian  Whitney Cummings  appears shocked to see Rock, excitedly declaring, “Chris Rock is in the fucking building!” before raising a glass. 

Tradition has it that last year’s best-actor Oscar winner presents the best-actress trophy at the following ceremony, but all of that changed when  Smith slapped Rock onstage . Instead of an invite to present,  Smith got himself banned from attending the Academy Awards for a decade. It was last year’s best-actress winner,  Jessica Chastain,  and  Halle Berry, who in 2002 was the  first Black woman to win best actress, who  jointly presented the honor this year instead. Smith, who  resigned from the Academy days after his actions,  reportedly spent the weekend taking his family to see  Jay Shetty, life coach to the stars,  at an event in Los Angeles. 

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David Letterman wants to know why Tom Cruise wasn't at the Oscars 'celebrating his big jetpack Maverick show'

The former late-night host dubbed the Top Gun: Maverick star "Mr. Big Shot," adding, "He should’ve been there."

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at  Entertainment Weekly  with over five years of experience covering the latest in entertainment. A proud Kingston University alum, Emlyn has written about music, fandom, film, television, and awards for multiple outlets including MTV News,  Teen Vogue , Bustle, BuzzFeed,  Paper Magazine , Dazed, and NME. She joined EW in August 2022.

David Letterman is demanding answers to the question that's been on everyone's mind since Sunday's Oscars : "Where was Tom Cruise ?"

While visiting Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday, the former late-night host asked Oscars emcee Jimmy Kimmel for the real reason why Cruise, who he dubbed "Mr. Big Shot," wasn't among the myriad stars in attendance at the Academy Awards.

"We don't know where Tom Cruise was," Kimmel explained. "We heard production issues." Letterman then interjected, "What does that mean? That's nonsense. Tom Cruise should've been there celebrating his big jetpack Maverick show."

Kimmel acknowledged that it was a "very non-specific" excuse, but that "we have no idea what happened." He added, "It seems like he should've been there, but he was not there and, like you were saying before, maybe he didn't feel like he was gonna win so he didn't want to come."

"Yes, but it's…" Letterman hedged. "Between you and me, he should've been there, right?" Kimmel agreed that Cruise "of course" should've been there, especially since the actor is the current reigning "prince of Hollywood" following the success of Top Gun.

Still, Letterman commended Kimmel on the event, which boasted the highest ratings of any awards show in three years . "[Y]ou resurrected this carcass and the network and the Academy ought to be very grateful," Letterman noted, later adding: "More to the power of your success, if Mr. Big Shot is not there and still the show has never been more successful, nice going Jimmy."

While Cruise skipped the ceremony, his Top Gun: Maverick costars Miles Teller, Monica Barbaro, Greg Tarzan Davis, Jennifer Connelly, Jay Ellis, Lewis Pullman, Danny Ramirez, and Charles Parnell were all in attendance at the event. The massively popular sequel, which received six nominations, ended up winning the award for Best Sound .

During the event, Kimmel poked fun at Cruise during his opening monologue with a joke about Scientology. However, Jimmy Kimmel Live producer Molly McNearney revealed they had initially planned to salute Cruise's career during Kimmel's speech before finding out that the actor would be absent.

"We had about a three-minute chunk of the monologue dedicated to Tom Cruise, honoring him and his role in reviving the movie industry. We were so disappointed when we learned a few days before the Oscars that he wouldn't be there," McNearney told Variety . "Jimmy loves him and really wanted to celebrate him."

Check out more from EW's The Awardist , featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's best films, TV, and music.

Related content:

• Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel might've cut that Scientology joke if Tom Cruise attended
• Tom Cruise says he 'got emotional' over Val Kilmer's return for Top Gun sequel: 'I was crying'
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Why Wasn't Tom Cruise at the Academy Awards?

The actor didn't attend sunday's award show where his movie, "top gun: maverick," was nominated in six categories, by charlotte edmonds • published march 12, 2023 • updated on march 13, 2023 at 4:37 am.

"Top Gun" was without its Maverick at the 95th Academy Awards .

The sequel to the 1986 classic took the theaters by storm this past year, grossing nearly $1.5 billion -- second to only "Avatar: The Way of Water." Its success wasn't limited to the box office as the movie established itself as a regular during awards season as well.

At the Oscars on Sunday, however, there was one notable absence -- Tom Cruise , who reprised his role as the titular character, Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.

Where is Tom Cruise during the Academy Awards?

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Cruise is overseas filming the latest edition of the "Mission: Impossible" series. Titled "Mission: Impossible -- Dead Reckoning Part II," Cruise is returning to his role as Agent Ethan Hunt in what is believed to be the eighth and final installation of the hit spy series.

‘Everything Everywhere' Wins Big. See the Full List of 2023 Academy Award Winners

See All the Stunning 2023 Oscars Red Carpet Fashions

What academy awards is 'top gun: maverick' nominated for.

"Top Gun: Maverick" received six nominations at the 95th Academy Awards -- Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects and Best Original Song by Lady Gaga.

In addition to starring in the movie, Cruise also served as one of four producers.

What is the release date for 'Mission: Impossible -- Dead Reckoning Part II'?

The eighth "Mission: Impossible" is set to be released on June 28, 2024.

This comes nearly two years after the film's initial release date of Aug. 5, 2022. It was delayed three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic before reaching the current release date.

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Why Didn't Tom Cruise Attend the Oscars? Inside His Rumored Mini Feud With This Comedian

Mar. 14 2023, Published 12:31 p.m. ET

The annual Academy Awards ceremony is typically regarded as Hollywood's biggest night out, but there were some actors and actresses who didn't join in the fun. Notably, actor Tom Cruise , whose beloved '80s sequel Top Gun: Maverick was nominated for Best Picture, did not attend the 95th Oscars.

Why wasn't Tom Cruise at the Oscars? Keep reading for the rumored reasons behind his uncharacteristic absence.

Why wasn't Tom Cruise at the Oscars?

Although Tom Cruise has not formally given a reason for his absence at the Oscars, a new report from Variety alleges some behind-the-scenes drama that may have led to the absences of multiple actors and actresses during Hollywood's biggest night. Jimmy Kimmel, the host, claims he had more jokes reserved in his Oscars monologue specifically for Tom Cruise, but had to pivot when Tom did not show up.

Molly McNearney, Jimmy's wife and Oscars executive producer, said, "Jimmy loves Tom. Tom had just been on the show the week before. And they talked about seeing each other and Jimmy was excited to tell him that we got real Navy pilots to do the flyover at the top of the Oscars. Jimmy was really disappointed he didn’t come."

The reason for Tom's absence, allegedly, is over concerns that Jimmy collaborated on jokes with Judd Apatow, who infamously made a series of scathing remarks at Tom's expense while hosting the DGA Awards, mostly aimed at Tom's practice of Scientology . Judd is not the first comedian to make jokes about Scientology, of which Tom has been a member for at least three decades.

Molly claims that Judd was not involved in Jimmy's Oscars writer's room, saying, "Jimmy tends to send his monologue to a group of people he trusts, comedy writers and comedians. They don’t help with the monologue. They just tell him like that joke’s working, that joke’s not working. No, Judd was not writing or doing anything for the monologue."

Tom Cruise has not addressed his absence from the Oscars. He did, however, attend the 95th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon, which took place on Feb. 13, 2023.

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Why Tom Cruise Isn't At The Oscars, Despite Top Gun: Maverick's Big Nominations

He has a good reason.

Top Gun : Maverick is nominated for six Oscars at the 95th Academy Awards , but if it does capture an Oscar, its big star/producer won't be there to accept it. Tom Cruise did not attend the biggest night at the movies, but there's a good reason why he won't be there. Surprise, he's working on the set of another movie. 

Tom Cruise isn't taking a day off for an awards show and is instead in the U.K. working on the set of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part II, according to Entertainment Tonight . While Hayley Atwell can take a break from filming for a beautiful vacation , apparently Cruise didn't want to step away from the thrilling scenes they're no doubt filming each day on set. 

While Tom Cruise didn't attend the Oscars despite his nominations, he did take a break from filming to attend the nominees' luncheon weeks ago. Perhaps he was planning to attend originally but opted out and decided to prepare for some epic stunt he's filming ? 

While Tom Cruise is away, Top Gun: Maverick hasn't had any trouble getting nods at The Oscars. In fact, the actor made a cameo via footage of the movie shown at the opening, which spliced in Oscars' host, Jimmy Kimmel . Kimmel also later poked at Cruise's strong ties to Scientology, so he's still getting a good deal of mentions despite his absence. Kimmel also credited Cruise as one of the reasons the movies bounced back after pandemic lockdowns but noted that achievement made his skipping the Academy Awards ironic. 

Top Gun: Maverick was nominated for Best Picture, Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Film Editing, Sound, Music (Original Song), and Visual Effects. In the event that the movie does win Best Picture, it's reported that producer Jerry Bruckheimer will accept the award. 

While Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors, he has yet to win an Oscar in his long career. To date, he's received two nominations for Best Actor for Jerry Maguire and Born on the Fourth of July , as a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Magnolia . Top Gun: Maverick marks his fourth nomination, though it is one for Best Picture. 

If winning awards won't play a part in Tom Cruise's legacy, it's safe to say his legacy will be solidified in the work he's put in on the Mission: Impossible franchise. Moviegoers are as psyched to see Ethan Hunt on the big screen as they've ever been, so credit to the A-lister for keeping at work and ensuring that folks keep turning up to movie theaters for big blockbusters.  

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CinemaBlend is all hands on deck during the 95th Academy Awards and keeping tabs on all of the big winners for the night . Of course, we'll also be reporting on other big moments as well, and all the jokes that will undoubtedly be made at Will Smith and Chris Rock 's expense. 

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.

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Tom Cruise Will Not Attend Oscars 2023 After Previously Appearing at Nominees Luncheon

The Top Gun: Maverick star is currently overseas filming Mission: Impossible 8 , a rep for Cruise confirms to PEOPLE

Tom Cruise will not be attending the Oscars 2023 ceremony.

The Top Gun: Maverick star, 60, is skipping the annual awards show , being held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, despite his film being up for six honors, including Best Picture.

A rep for Cruise confirms to PEOPLE that his absence is because he is currently filming Mission: Impossible 8 overseas. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer will accept the award for Best Picture should Maverick emerge victorious, Entertainment Tonight reports.

The follow-up to 1986's Top Gun is also nominated in the categories of Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.

Additionally, Lady Gaga is set to perform the nominated song, "Hold My Hand."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Cruise's absence comes as a bit of a surprise, considering his attendance the Oscars nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles last month.

In a video that circulated on social media at the time, Steven Spielberg could be seen telling Cruise he "saved Hollywood's ass" with Top Gun: Maverick , which claimed the spot as the highest-grossing movie of 2022 in the United States.

The legendary director, 76, added that Cruise "might have saved theatrical distribution" entirely with the long-awaited sequel to his hit '80s action flick.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published Tuesday that Cruise would be at Sunday's ceremony , and he was asked whether he would joke about the actor as hosts of other awards shows this season have.

"No, I mean, listen, the reason that Tom Cruise is being embraced by the movie industry is that, I don't know if he saved [movies], but he definitely gave them the Heimlich maneuver," said Kimmel, 55.

RELATED VIDEO: Top Gun: Maverick Stars Tom Cruise , Jon Hamm, Miles Teller and More on Filming the "Love Letter to Aviation"

Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible 8 writer-director Christopher McQuarrie announced the exciting news on Friday that Hannah Waddingham had joined the cast of the upcoming franchise film.

In the photo shared by McQuarrie, 54, Waddingham appeared to be in character as she sternly looked into the distance, wearing a tan cap in front of what looked like a communication center.

Waddingham, 48, is best known for her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso , for which she won the Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series in 2021. She also starred in the 2022 sequel Hocus Pocus 2 .

Mission Impossible: 8 — also known as the second part of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning — has been filming since July 2022, long before the seventh Mission: Impossible movie's upcoming July 2023 release date.

The Oscars air live on ABC on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET.

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5 Reasons Why Tom Cruise Has Never Won An Oscar

He’s been nominated three times – as Best Actor for ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ and ‘Jerry Maguire’ and as Best Supporting Actor for ‘Magnolia’.

Yet Tom Cruise, arguably the biggest movie star of the last 20 years, has never actually got his hands on a little gold man, but why?

He’s ‘too mainstream’

Only occasionally does Oscar really intersect with the blockbuster community. ‘Titanic’, ‘Avatar’, ‘Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King’ and ‘Forrest Gump’ are some of the few recent smash hits which also got some awards love. Tom Cruise – despite an incredibly varied and interesting filmography, is the very definition of mainstream.

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People forget that he’s worked with everyone from Paul Thomas Anderson and Michael Mann to Martin Scorsese and Stanley fricking Kubrick. What they do remember is ‘Top Gun’, the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise, ‘The Firm’…

Popular actors who became “award-worthy” ones generally had to do so in a film which pitched itself as Oscar bait. Unfortunately for Cruise, he doesn’t seem to have shaken off the stink of $20 million success.

He was robbed for ‘Magnolia’

Speaking of Paul Thomas Anderson, it’s a travesty that Cruise didn’t win for Anderson’s masterpiece ‘Magnolia’, where he played a charismatic women-hating pick-up artist with deep-seated personal issues (see above).

Made at the height of Cruise’s fame and box office power (he filmed it before ‘Mission: Impossible II’) it played with our perceptions of Cruise’s charisma and showed off hitherto unseen acting prowess.

He stole the film from acting greats like Julianne Moore, Jason Robards and Philip Seymour Hoffman and it was the kind of flashy star-playing-against-type supporting role that Oscar voters love.

Yet Cruise was beaten by Michael Caine’s perfectly respectable - but far less memorable - turn in old fashioned yarn ‘The Cider House Rules’. This was Cruise’s best chance to win an Oscar… and he missed it.

His best work isn’t noticed

But at least he was nominated. The other strange thing looking back at Cruise’s CV is that several of his best performances weren’t even noticed by the Academy. There are many that (with another actor) would be swamped with awards love.

Think the calculating but charming hitman in ‘Collateral’, the cocksure Naval lawyer in Aaron Sorkin-penned ‘A Few Good Men’, Lestat in ‘Interview With The Vampire’ (a performance so good author Anne Rice took out an ad in Variety to praise it).

These are roles that with an “award-friendly” actor attached would mean at least a nom, if not the prize itself. But maybe he’s just too effective as a leading man. You expect him to be good, he’s part of our cinematic canvas and as such he doesn’t get the recognition.

His co-stars get all the glory

There’s a school of thought that it’s actually way harder to play the straight man than it is the more obvious showy role. In other words, lots of people (us included) think that Cruise was far more deserving of an Oscar for his brilliant work in ‘Rain Man’ than Dustin Hoffman was for his mannered, yet eye-catching performance.

He was nominated for playing Jerry Maguire, but it was Cuba Gooding Jr who walked off with the prize for his shouty presence as Jerry’s client.

Cruise was hilarious and displayed a surprising lack of vanity as megalomaniacal studio head Les Grossman in ‘Tropic Thunder’, but it was Robert Downey Jr – on the comeback trail and playing ironic blackface – who scored the nom.

And as for ‘The Colour Of Money’? Well, what are you gonna do if you’re starring opposite Paul Newman when one of the elder statesmen of the industry is just due recognition.

His personal life

Any journalist who’s met Tom Cruise will tell you what a nice, professional bloke he is. He understands what being a megastar entails and has been known to show up at his premieres three hours early just so he can interact with as many fans as possible.

But his enthusiasm has also got the better of him – the couch-jumping incident on Oprah being a prime example. That little escapade probably set his career back a few years, as did coming out the loser in the post-divorce PR battles with Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes.

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And then there’s Scientology. Cruise is one of its most important members and he has credited the religion with helping him get to where he is in Hollywood (he can be seen opening a new church-affiliated building in Spain below).

But it’s possible that the stories (whether they are true or not) about silent births, ex-communicating family members and Navy-style teen boot camps has tarnished Cruise in the eyes of Oscar voters, who tend to be more conservative.

It’s possible Tom Cruise will end up being another iconic actor who never gets awards recognition. He wouldn’t be the first (see: Peter O’Toole, Harrison Ford, etc.)

Or maybe as his blockbuster life seemingly begins to fade, which some are predicting after the comparative failures of ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Edge Of Tomorrow’, the Cruiser will finally delve headlong into the kind of compelling character parts which sees him finally take to the Oscar stage as a winner.

Photos: Moviestore/Rex/Snap Stills/giphy/portable.tv/imgur/PA

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Why Wasn’t Tom Cruise at the Oscars 2023? Find Out Why the ‘Top Gun’ Actor Was Absent

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Tom Cruise   didn’t make an appearance  at the  95th annual Academy Awards , even though his film  Top Gun: Maverick   was  nominated for six awards.  Keep reading to find out why the actor will not be attending the 2023 Oscars. 

Why Wasn't Tom Cruise at the 2023 Oscars?

Tom was absent from the March 12 ceremony as he’s currently in the United Kingdom filming for Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part II, according to Deadline . 

The news of Tom’s absence follows reports that Lady Gaga , who was nominated for Best Original Song for Top Gun: Maverick’s concluding track, “Hold My Hand,” will be performing at the Oscars following initial reports of a scheduling conflict. 

Reps for Tom did not immediately respond to In Touch ’s request for comment. 

Tom was, indeed, in the U.K. recently, as he was spotted celebrating Sir  Michael Caine ’s 90th birthday in London two days after the awards show.  

How Many Oscars Was Top Gun: Maverick Nominated For?

Top Gun: Maverick  was nominated for six awards; Best Picture, Film Editing, Sound, Music (Original Song), Visual Effects and Adaptive Screenplay.  The film won the Academy Award for Best Sound. 

The sequel’s many nominations were a delightful surprise to fans as Tom and the production crew put in countless hours to create the thrilling aviation action. 

When speaking with Screen Rant in May 2022, the Edge of Tomorrow actor  explained that creating the action movie was his “dream.” 

“Listen, the whole point of making films and the beauty of it is that you get to travel the world and see other cultures and be part of communities,” he told the outlet when explaining why going above and beyond with filming huge action shots was necessary. “To look and walk in someone else’s shoes and feel what they are [feeling]. Making movies, you’re constantly learning. You have to constantly work to become more and more competent in many different fields. And I want to tell them, that’s the beauty of making movies. That’s why I’ve always pushed my films to go international, around the world and in different communities. And to be part of that right from the beginning.”

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Why did Tom Cruise not attend the Oscars after being hailed for ‘saving’ cinema with Top Gun: Maverick?

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Last night’s Oscars was, like always, a star-studded affair, with Hollywood’s biggest names turning out for its most glamorous night.

But two of the biggest names in film, both of whom have been heralded for ‘saving cinema’, didn’t attend: James Cameron and, crucially, Tom Cruise .

Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water , already one of the highest-grossing films ever, was nominated for best picture, but it lost to Everything Everywhere All at Once .

Meanwhile, Cruise’s film, Top Gun: Maverick, was also defeated in the best picture category, but did leave with the prize for best sound.

However, Maverick, a sequel to 1986’s Top Gun, was a huge success at the box office and has been credited by many in the industry with ‘saving cinema’.

Since the pandemic, many who work in film have been greatly concerned that enthusiasm for watching films on the big screen has significantly decreased.

Steven Spielberg was shown talking to Cruise at the 2023 Academy Luncheon: ‘You saved Hollywood’s a**, you might have saved theatrical distribution.’

Maverick, which Cruise, 60, both starred in and produced, passed the $1 billion mark, and was still being shown in cinemas months after its original release.

But on Sunday, Cruise didn’t show his face at the Oscars, which left many viewers wondering why the man dubbed the ‘saviour of cinema’ was absent.

Why wasn’t Tom Cruise at the Oscars?

Cruise missed the awards show due to being tied up with filming the upcoming instalment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Dead Reckoning Part 2.

Dead Reckoning Part 1, which is due out this summer, is the first Mission: Impossible film since 2018’s Fallout, also produced by Cruise.

At the Oscars, Everything Everywhere All at Once made history with seven awards , including best picture, best actress, and best original screenplay.

Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian actress and just the second non-white woman in history to win in the best actress, after Halle Berry’s win in 2001.

Berry, 56, presented the award to Yeoh, 60, whose co-star Jamie Lee Curtis also walked away with the prize for best supporting actress.

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During the ceremony, Jessica Chastain received praise for wearing a mask , with the actress currently performing in a play in New York City.

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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Lorraine Kelly doesn’t hold back when discussing Hugh Grant’s awkward Oscars interview with Ashley Graham

MORE : Everything Everywhere All At Once’s Oscars success proves one vital thing – Asian talent matters

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Tom Cruise is Skipping the Oscars

Lady Gaga, on the other hand, is expected to make a surprise appearance to sing her Top Gun: Maverick song

One of Hollywood’s biggest stars will be absent from Hollywood’s Biggest Night

Despite saving Hollywood’s ass with Top Gun: Maverick , Tom Cruise will not be in attendance for tonight’s Academy Awards . Instead, according to Deadline , Cruise has opted to stay in the UK and continue filming Mission Impossible 8 .

Cruise did not receive a Best Actor nomination for Top Gun: Maverick , but the film is one of the finalists for Best Original Picture. While it’s not considered a favorite to win, if Top Gun: Maverick pulls off a surprise upset, co-producer Jerry Bruckheimer will accept the award on Cruise’s behalf.

While Cruise will be missing from the festivities, a different member of the Top Gun: Maverick family is expected to make a surprise appearance. Lady Gaga will take the stage to perform “Hold My Hand,” her Oscar-nominated contribution to Top Gun: Maverick , during tonight’s ceremony. It was previously announced that Gaga would not be singing due to scheduling conflicts with Joker: Folie à Deux . However, Variety reports that after a last-minute back-and-forth with Oscar producers, she will perform after all.

The other four finalists nominated for Best Original Song — including Rihanna and David Byrne — are also confirmed to perform during tonight’s Oscars.

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