Actor Tom Cruise was offered the honors but declined because of scheduling conflicts, according to several current and former Kennedy Center employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss event plans. A spokesperson for Cruise declined to comment.

Tom Cruise was not among the recipients at this year's Kennedy Center Honors, and the reason for his absence has finally been revealed.

Credit: Shutterstock In a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, Tom Cruise has reportedly turned down President Donald Trump's offer of a Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award-citing nothing more dramatic than a full calendar.