American actor Tom Cruise is now a real-life military hero after playing them on TV for years.
The “Mission Impossible” star received the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service (DPS) Award in London on Tuesday. The award recognises Cruise’s service to the US Navy through film production.
According to a news release, the award is the Navy’s highest honour that may be bestowed upon someone outside of the Department of the Navy.
The honour was awarded to Cruise by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who said in a statement that “his work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps.”
Cruise’s work in the film business has “increased public awareness and appreciation for the Navy’s highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform,” according to the announcement.
“I’m happy I have been able to be a source of inspiration to many of the sailors who serve today or have served in the past,” Cruise told reporters. “The effort came not only from myself but also from the cast and staff I work with on all of our sets. They are what truly brings the work to life.”
Cruise is most remembered for his roles in the 1986 film “Top Gun,” in which he played a Naval fighter pilot, and the 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick,” which grossed more than $1 billion in ticket sales.
According to the Navy’s news release, Cruise’s work on the original “Top Gun” film triggered a boom in Navy pilot recruitment.
In 2020, the department honoured the film’s producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Cruise as Honorary Naval Aviators.
