Walking out from the wings and handing Spielberg the Golden Hugo award after festival founder Michael Kutza kidded that he couldn’t find it, Cruise spoke of his admiration for the director of Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler’s List and Cruise’s own War of the Worlds.

“I had the great pleasure of meeting Steven,” Cruise said, reports CBS News. Then, addressing Spielberg directly, he added: “You took me to dinner when I was a young actor. I’ve seen every one of his films many, many times. I actually study his films” reports People.
The Chicago Tribune adds:
Several of Spielberg’s colleagues and celebrity friends congratulated him through videotaped messages, including Cruise. But when Spielberg took the stage to accept his award, Cruise sneaked up from behind and congratulated Spielberg in person. Hundreds of jaws hit the floor.
After Saturday’s benefit, Spielberg and Cruise headed to Midway, where they boarded a private jet headed for New York.