Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg, who at 79 remains the highest grossing director of all time, was honored on Thursday night at the Museum of Modern Art’s glitzy annual Film Benefit, an event to raise money for the institution’s film department, while also celebrating some of the most influential names in moviemaking.
Spielberg’s close friends, including comedians Martin Short and Steve Martin, and industry peers such as Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese, along with beloved collaborators Drew Barrymore, Emily Blunt, and Zoe Saldaña attended to toast the director’s hugely successful five-decade career. The night even kicked off with a surprise speech from actor Tom Cruise (who starred in both Spielberg’s “Minority Report” and “War of the Worlds”).
