The world’s most famous fictional Top Gun is now a decorated naval hero. Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s top civilian honor Tuesday for “outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps” with “Top Gun” and other films.

Cruise, who has been working in the U.K., was given the Distinguished Public Service Award by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony at Longcross Studios near London.

The actor, 62, said he was proud to receive the “extraordinary acknowledgment,” which came with a medal and a certificate.

“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said. “I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that is to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women.”

The Navy said Cruise had “increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.”

“Top Gun,” the 1986 hit movie about Cold War flying aces, made Cruise a star and drove up military enlistment. Interest was renewed with the 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.”

Cruise was also commended for his roles in “Born on the Fourth of July,” “A Few Good Men” and the “Mission: Impossible” movies.

Williams named UNESCO ambassador: Pop star and fashion designer Pharrell Williams was named UNESCO’s goodwill ambassador for artistic education and entrepreneurship on Tuesday in Paris.

Williams said he hoped to “deepen that sense of unity and togetherness” in work that “evens the odds for marginalized communities.”

He also spoke of his impoverished youth: “Growing up in Virginia, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be given an opportunity like this one.”

The role of goodwill ambassador for the Paris-based U.N. cultural agency involves promoting its initiatives that include protecting Indigenous cultures, advancing education and health care for women, raising awareness about genocide prevention and safeguarding cultural heritage.

Bell to return as SAG Awards host: Kristen Bell will return as host of next year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“I’m honored to be asked back and can’t wait to share the evening with my fellow actors, doing what we do best ... celebrating ourselves,” Bell said in a statement Monday. The actor hosted the SAG Awards in 2018.

The 31st annual awards ceremony, which honors outstanding performances in film and television, will stream live at 8 p.m. Eastern on Netflix.

Jane Fonda will be honored with the SAG life achievement award during the awards ceremony. Nominees will be announced Jan. 8.

Dec. 18 birthdays: Guitarist Keith Richards is 81. Director Steven Spielberg is 78. Guitarist Elliot Easton is 71. Singer Angie Stone is 63. Actor Brad Pitt is 61. Media personality Steve Austin is 60. Singer Alejandro Sanz is 56. Singer Sia is 49. Actor Katie Holmes is 46. Singer Christina Aguilera is 44. Singer Billie Eilish is 23.