Hollywood has several parameters for making the stars fit into categories based on their fame and prestige. The Knight of the Legion honor is one such prestigious award that sets its receiver apart as a great talent. It has so far been bestowed upon several artists like Robert Redford, Martin Scorsese, and Clint Eastwood. And the most recent addition to it is none other than Tom Cruise.
The ‘Top Gun: Maverick‘ actor received the honor from the Culture Minister of France in Paris right before the Olympics opening ceremony on July 26. While his career is already laden with achievements, this adds significantly to it. Here’s all we know about the award.
Tom Cruise Receives ‘Knight Of The Legion’ Honor From French Culture Minister
Tom Cruise has added another significant achievement under his belt as he has been awarded with the prestigious Knight of the Legion award in Paris. The actor is currently busy filming ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two‘ in Europe, which is where he was honored with the award.
The Culture Minister of Paris, Rachida Dati, did the honors of presenting Cruise with the award in a secret ceremony held right before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. She also took to social media to share his achievement with her followers.
Félicitations à @TomCruise que la République nomme Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres ! 🇫🇷
— Rachida Dati ن (@datirachida) July 27, 2024
🎬 Son tournage de "Mission Impossible" à Paris en 2017 a magnifiquement mis en valeur notre capitale. Sa défense passionnée des salles de cinéma inspire tous les amoureux du grand écran.… pic.twitter.com/mW5bOssbbL
The ceremony was intimate, and the ‘The Mission Impossible’ actor is yet to officially share the news. Meanwhile, France is hosting the Olympics, and the country is going through both celebrations and turmoil led by political instability.
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More About The ‘Knight Of The Legion’ Title
The Knight of the Legion honor was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and is considered to be one of the highest decorations in France. It is divided into five degrees: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer), and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).
The ‘Top Gun’ actor has received the Chevalier (Knight) honor for his contribution to the acting industry. Tom was not pictured during the official ceremony as it was largely kept a secret. However, son of actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, James Wilkie Broderick, took to Instagram to post photos wherein Cruise was also seen. He posted the pictures of his parents at the opening ceremonies for the Olympics, and next to them at their perch over the Seine was Tom Cruise.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Paris as the city is hosting the Olympics this year. The opening ceremony was grand, with Celine Dion making her comeback on the stage amid her chronic illness. She presented a grand performance during the ceremony by singing ‘Hymne A L’Amour’ at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Lady Gaga also graced the event by performing ‘Mon Truc en Plumes.
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