Why Jennifer Connelly Believes Tom Cruise Was Robbed of an Oscar Nomination for Top Gun: Maverick
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
As the countdown to the 95th Academy Awards reached its final days, Jennifer Connelly spoke up for her Top Gun: Maverick co-star, Tom Cruise, declaring that he was more than worthy of an Oscar nomination. In a January 22, 2023 interview at the Sundance Film Festival, Connelly told Variety that Cruise “absolutely deserves” the honor for his performance as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the blockbuster sequel.
“He’s extraordinary,” Connelly said. “I think he does an amazing job in the movie. He’s extraordinary as a person and fantastic as an actor, and I think that he is just perfect. He embodies that character so beautifully, and I think he absolutely deserves it.”
Connelly wasn’t alone in her praise. Critics and fans alike had been lauding Cruise’s turn as Maverick since the film’s May 2022 release, pointing to both his emotional depth and the incredible physical demands of filming in real F-18 jets. The film not only shattered box office records, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of the year and the most successful of Cruise’s career, but also scored six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. However, Cruise himself didn’t make the cut for Best Actor—despite Connelly’s glowing endorsement.
A Blockbuster Performance, An Oscar Snub
Top Gun: Maverick, directed by Joseph Kosinski, saw Cruise reprising his role from the 1986 classic. The film’s narrative, which paired high-octane flight sequences with deeply personal storylines, was widely praised. Cruise’s scenes opposite Miles Teller, who played the son of his late friend “Goose,” were highlighted as some of his most emotionally resonant. Connelly, who portrayed Maverick’s love interest Penny Benjamin, called out Cruise’s ability to embody both the film’s heart and its action-packed spirit.
Connelly wasn’t alone in her praise. Many speculated that Cruise might be a dark horse for the Best Actor category, given the movie’s critical success and his legacy in Hollywood. But when the Oscar nominations were announced on January 24, 2023, Cruise was recognized only as a producer, thanks to Maverick’s Best Picture nod. The Academy chose other actors for its leading category, leaving fans disappointed and reigniting debates about biases against action-driven performances.
A Consistent Champion
Connelly’s comments at Sundance weren’t the first time she had spoken out about Cruise’s remarkable work on Maverick. At multiple screenings and interviews throughout 2022, she lauded Cruise’s dedication to the project, calling him a “phenomenal” actor who set a high bar for excellence. Her statements, echoed across outlets such as People, Fox News, and The Independent, positioned her as one of Cruise’s most vocal supporters.
Beyond her admiration for his acting, Connelly emphasized the sheer difficulty of creating such a high-quality film. She highlighted the extraordinary effort that went into the aerial sequences, calling it “something else” and noting how hard it was to craft a movie that not only delivered action spectacle but also emotional resonance. This layered complexity, she argued, deserved recognition.
Industry Conversations
The lack of a Best Actor nomination for Cruise sparked broader discussions within the industry. As blockbuster films continue to dominate box offices, they often find themselves sidelined in top Oscar categories—particularly in acting. Despite winning awards from other organizations, such as a Saturn Award for Best Actor, Cruise’s omission from the Oscar acting lineup raised questions about how the Academy perceives action-driven performances and major studio franchises.
Meanwhile, Maverick’s six nominations—including Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Best Sound, and Best Film Editing—highlighted the film’s craftsmanship. Still, for fans and advocates like Connelly, the absence of a nomination for Cruise’s performance left a notable gap.
Looking Forward
As the awards season progressed, Connelly’s endorsement became a talking point for many in the industry. While Cruise’s acting in Top Gun: Maverick didn’t earn him a golden statuette, Connelly’s remarks underscored the depth and commitment he brought to the role. Her words also served as a reminder that, even without an Oscar nod, Cruise’s performance had already made an indelible impact on audiences and the film industry alike.
