Steven Spielberg had a Hollywood-sized guest list for his big night — and Tom Cruise was among the stars making sure the legendary filmmaker got the tribute he deserved.
The director, 79, was honoured at the 2026 Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit, presented by Chanel, in New York City on Thursday, November 12.
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The evening brought together a remarkable lineup of actors, filmmakers and longtime friends, including Drew Barrymore, Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michelle Williams, Zoe Saldaña, Cate Blanchett, Spike Lee and Jeff Goldblum.
Cruise, who worked with Spielberg on Minority Report and War of the Worlds, took the stage to celebrate his longtime collaborator.
“Wow, Steven Spielberg. The very name evokes wonder, adventure, suspense, excitement, the anticipation of going to a theater and knowing that you are going to experience something extraordinary,” Tom, 64, said, via CNN.
But Spielberg wasn’t interested in taking all the credit. During his acceptance speech, he made a point of reminding everyone that filmmaking is never a one-person show.
“Even though I’m the grateful and well-dressed one tonight, standing alone up here feels wrong,” he said.
“Filmmaking is collaborating, and when I get singled out on a night like this, it reminds me that I have never stood alone on any set, on any location, on any soundstage.”
He later joked that choosing what to eat at the craft services table might be one of the few decisions he makes alone.
“Imagine, please, that I am actually standing up here with every single person who ever helped me to reach this point in my career — starting with the writers, actors, and producers…making movies is making choices, and I’ve never made many choices by myself — except maybe what I eat at the craft service table. That’s about it.”
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Spielberg’s wife Kate Capshaw and stepdaughter Jessica Capshaw joined him, while Ariana DeBose delivered a performance.
His longtime friends Steve Martin, Martin Short, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro were also there.
