Tom Cruise offered an emotional tribute to Val Kilmer, his “Top Gun” co-star and “dear friend,” during an appearance at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This tribute followed Kilmer’s death from pneumonia at the age of 65.
During the event, the 62-year-old Cruise paused his promotion of the upcoming film “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” to pay homage to Kilmer. Kilmer had portrayed Tom “Iceman” Kazansky alongside Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the 1986 film “Top Gun” and its 2022 sequel.
Standing on the stage at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Cruise appeared visibly emotional as he requested the audience to observe a moment of silence.
“I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise stated. “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 then bowed his head and clasped his hands before continuing, “I think it would be really nice if we could have a moment together because he loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us. Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him. I wish you well on the next journey.”
Kilmer passed away on Tuesday, April 1, due to complications from pneumonia, following years of health challenges. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent extensive treatment, including a tracheotomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
The portrayal of Maverick and Iceman in “Top Gun” played a pivotal role in launching both actors into stardom. Despite initial reluctance to accept the role, as Kilmer reportedly considered the script “silly” and only agreed due to contractual obligations, the film became the highest-grossing film of 1986, establishing both actors as Hollywood A-listers.
Barry Tubb, who played “Wolfman” in the original film, described Kilmer as “the coolest cat” with remarkable acting talent and a playful sense of humor. Kilmer often filmed behind-the-scenes moments with his own camera, some of which later appeared in his 2021 documentary “Val.”
The on-screen rivalry between Maverick and Iceman reportedly extended off-camera as well. While Cruise maintained a disciplined approach to filming, Kilmer formed close bonds with other cast members and enjoyed the social aspects of the production.
“Tom refrained from our revelry, with good reason,” Kilmer once said of his co-star. “From day one, he was laser-focused on a singular goal – to become the greatest action hero in the history of film.”
Decades later, the actors reunited for “Top Gun: Maverick,” with Kilmer making a poignant appearance as Iceman despite his health challenges. By then, the tracheotomy had permanently altered his voice, requiring him to use an artificial voice box to speak. For the sequel, he communicated through typing on a computer screen, though artificial intelligence technology helped recreate aspects of his voice.
In a 2022 appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Cruise spoke about the emotional experience of working with Kilmer again: “I’ve known Val for decades. For him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again. You’re looking at Iceman.”
Securing Kilmer’s participation in the sequel was reportedly important to both the actor and the production. “Tom was Maverick, but Maverick’s nemesis was Iceman. The two went together like salt and pepper,” Kilmer had insisted.
Beyond “Top Gun,” Kilmer built an impressive career spanning decades, with notable roles in films like “Batman Forever,” “The Doors,” “Tombstone,” and “Heat.” His portrayal of Jim Morrison in “The Doors” demonstrated his commitment to method acting — he reportedly remained in character throughout filming, even off-set.
While celebrated for his talent, Kilmer also gained a reputation for being challenging on set. “Batman Forever” director Joel Schumacher once described him as “psychotic,” while “The Island of Dr. Moreau” director John Frankenheimer famously declared he would never work with Kilmer again.
In his later years, Kilmer addressed his professional reputation in his documentary, acknowledging, “I have behaved poorly, I have behaved bravely, I have behaved bizarrely to some.”
The cancer diagnosis in 2014 forced Kilmer to step back from Hollywood. After undergoing treatment, he faced significant challenges, including difficulty speaking and eating through a feeding tube. “You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat,” he explained in his documentary.
Throughout his health struggles, Kilmer maintained his creative spirit. In a 2021 interview, he expressed optimism despite his changed voice: “I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel.”
Kilmer is survived by his daughter Mercedes and son Jack from his marriage to British actress Joanne Whalley. His death was confirmed by Mercedes.
Cruise, meanwhile, continues promoting “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” scheduled for release on May 23, 2025. But for a moment at CinemaCon, Hollywood’s biggest action star put aside the promotion to remember his wingman.
As fans remember the iconic duo’s on-screen chemistry, perhaps the most fitting tribute lies in Kilmer’s own memorable line from the original film: “You can be my wingman any time.”