Tom Cruise honoured by French government
For almost 40 years, Tom Cruise has been one of the biggest stars and most famous faces on the planet, which comes with its own unique set of perks and privileges, the latest of which saw the veteran action star awarded one of the loftiest titles in all of France.
Cruise is Hollywood’s most bankable figure, a multi-generational icon of the silver screen, a powerhouse producer, and an eye-wateringly wealthy man. Additionally, now he can call himself a recipient of France’s highest order of merit after being awarded the Legion of Honour.
Initially established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Ordre royal de la Légion d’honneur is hardly handed out on a whim, but Cruise is far from being the first movie industry legend to be bestowed with the local government’s highest honour.
The actor is following in the footsteps of some truly titanic presences, with Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford, Francis Ford Coppola, Bette Davis, Walt Disney, Kirk Douglas, Robert De Niro, and Gregory Peck just a selection of the Americans to have previously been awarded the honour.
The actor is currently in the midst of shooting the eighth instalment in the Mission: Impossible franchise in various locations across Europe, but when the French culture minister calls and suggests taking a trip to Paris ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony – for which he was also in attendance – to collect the nation’s highest accolade then it’s hard to say no.
The Legion of Honour is separated into five different classes of rising distinction, beginning with Knight and ascending through Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, and Grand Cross. No offence intended, but because he’s only out there saving the world in a fictional context, Cruise was bestowed with the former, not that it takes anything away from his latest distinction.
After all, somebody has to make a massive impact on the world of arts, entertainment, or culture to even be considered for the Legion of Honour, and it would be an understatement to suggest Cruise has become one of the most enduring and indelible performers of the last four decades.
Culture minister Rachida Dati presented him with the medal in a quiet and intimate ceremony hours before he pitched up at the opening of the Olympics, which by extension technically made him one of the most distinguished attendees.
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