Tom Cruise has paid a heartfelt tribute to his Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 65.
During his appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Cruise led the audience in a moment of silence to honor Kilmer, calling him “a dear friend.” Standing in The Colosseum theatre, Cruise reflected on Kilmer’s impact, saying, “I can’t tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being, and how grateful and honored I was when he joined Top Gun.”
Kilmer, known for his iconic role as Ice Man in Top Gun (1986), marked his final film appearance in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick. He also famously portrayed Batman and rock legend Jim Morrison in The Doors. Kilmer passed away Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
In the packed Las Vegas theatre, Cruise bowed his head in remembrance. He added, “Thank you, Val – wish you well on your next journey.”
Cruise made the tribute during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon, where he also revealed a sneak peek of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, slated for release later this year. During the event, Cruise honored director Christopher McQuarrie, who was named CinemaCon’s Director of the Year.
The new Mission: Impossible trailer showcased Cruise performing high-octane stunts, including scenes involving fighter jets, explosions, and even wing-walking on a vintage plane.
While many in Hollywood have paid tribute to the late Kilmer, Cruise had been one of the first to publicly express his grief. In a previous interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Cruise shared how emotional it was to have Kilmer back on set for Top Gun: Maverick. “I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional,” he confessed. “He’s such a brilliant actor. I love his work.”
Kilmer’s family revealed that the actor passed away after battling pneumonia. Kilmer had undergone two tracheotomies while being treated for throat cancer, which affected his ability to speak. In Top Gun: Maverick, his character, Iceman, communicates with Cruise’s character via a screen, typing messages due to his voice issues. In their final scene together, Iceman tells Maverick, “The Navy needs Maverick,” before the two embrace, with Iceman jokingly asking who is the better pilot.
