At this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, while promoting the highly anticipated Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Tom Cruise took a heartfelt detour to honor someone who meant a great deal to him — his late Top Gun co-star and dear friend, Val Kilmer.
The moment was powerful and quiet. Standing on stage, Cruise paused the excitement of blockbuster talk to reflect on a man whose legacy shaped Hollywood history, and whose impact was deeply personal.
“I can’t tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honored I was when he joined ‘Top Gun’ and came back later for ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’” Cruise told the crowd.
He then asked the audience to join him in a moment of silence — a tribute to a life lived with passion, artistry, and unforgettable presence.
“He loved movies, and he gave a lot to all of us. Just think about all the wonderful times we had with him,” Cruise added, visibly moved.
As the room fell silent, filled with reverence, Cruise closed the tribute with one final, deeply human message:
“I wish you well on the next journey.”
A Legacy Born in Top Gun
Cruise and Kilmer shared the screen for the first time in the 1986 action classic Top Gun, with Cruise playing the daring and defiant Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, and Kilmer taking on the role of his cool, confident rival Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. Their on-screen rivalry became iconic — and laid the foundation for a real-life friendship that would last decades.
They reunited in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, where Kilmer made a powerful cameo despite health challenges. The emotional scene between Maverick and Iceman resonated deeply with fans, especially as Kilmer had lost much of his voice due to illness — making his appearance all the more courageous and meaningful.
Saying Goodbye to a Legend
Val Kilmer passed away from pneumonia, confirmed by his daughter Mercedes Kilmer. He was 65.
His health had been fragile in recent years. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, Kilmer underwent a tracheotomy that left him with limited ability to speak — but never stopped him from expressing his art, his thoughts, and his love for film.
Despite his illness, Kilmer remained active and inspiring, even releasing a powerful documentary titled Val in 2021, offering fans a rare, intimate look at his life, struggles, and triumphs.
He is survived by his children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer, who both continue to carry his spirit forward.
More Than an Actor — A Hollywood Original
From his unforgettable turn as Jim Morrison in The Doors to his hauntingly brilliant portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone, Val Kilmer left behind a body of work that few can match. He brought depth, charm, and edge to every role — always pushing boundaries, always leaving an impression.
Tom Cruise’s public tribute wasn’t just a farewell — it was a recognition of a brotherhood formed on set, forged through years, and sealed in legacy.
Rest in peace, Val Kilmer.
Your voice, your presence, and your art will live on.