Tom Cruise is being celebrated with a life achievement award from the American Film Institute, AFI's board of trustees said Wednesday The award will be handed out at a gala tribute in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre on April 24 next year.

“Tom Cruise is a global icon,” said Kathleen Kennedy , chair of AFI's board of trustees, in a statement. She praised Cruise's commitment as an actor and producer and his belief in movies' ability to bring people together.

Cruise, 64, has worked in film for more than four decades, starring in movies including “Risky Business,” “A Few Good Men,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Minority Report” and the “Mission: Impossible” series.…