Tom Cruise made an impromptu appearance on U.S. TV talk show The View on Wednesday - to pay a video tribute to veteran host Barbara Walters.

Walters, 78, is currently celebrating 50 years as a TV personality with a new revealing autobiography.

In 1976 she famously became the first woman to co-anchor the evening news in America.

Wednesday’s The View cut to a clip taped by Cruise. As an emotional Walters looked on, he said, "First I want to congratulate you for 50 years as a leading force for women. Not only in the newsroom, but the world at large.

"Do you realize, that on October 4th 1976 when you became the first woman to anchor the evening news, that that moment would forever empower other women to reach their goals."