Tom Cruise breaks silence on Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer’s shock death aged 65 with heartfelt tribute
Tom Cruise has broken his silence on the death of his Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer, paying an emotional tribute at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.
Kilmer died on April 1 at the age of 65 due to complications from pneumonia, as confirmed by his daughter Mercedes.
The Hollywood star, who played Iceman alongside Cruise’s Maverick in the 1986 classic film, had been battling health issues for several years.
Cruise, 62, took to the stage at Caesar’s Palace to honour his “dear friend” during the industry event where he was promoting his upcoming Mission: Impossible film.
The actor appeared visibly emotional as he addressed the audience about his longtime friend and colleague.
“I’d like to honour a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise said, according to Variety. “I can’t tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honoured I was when he joined Top Gun and came back later for Top Gun: Maverick.”
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The star lowered his head and clasped his hands as he continued his tribute.
“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,” Cruise added.
“Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him. I wish you well on the next journey.”
Cruise and Kilmer first starred together in the 1986 cult classic Top Gun, portraying rival naval aviators whose competition eventually evolved into respect and friendship.
The pair reunited on screen for the 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, in what would become Kilmer’s final acting role.
According to producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Cruise was adamant about Kilmer’s involvement in the sequel.
“[Cruise] said, ‘We have to have Val, we have to have him back. We have to have him in the film,'” Bruckheimer told People in 2021. “He was the driving force. We all wanted him, but Tom was really adamant that if he’s going to make another Top Gun, Val had to be in it.”
In a 2023 interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Cruise had spoken about the emotional experience of working with Kilmer again on the sequel.
“I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades,” Cruise told Kimmel.
“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.”
Cruise added: “I was crying. I got emotional. He’s such a brilliant actor, I love his work.”
Kilmer had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 and spent his later years largely out of the public eye.
He is survived by his two children, Mercedes, 33, and Jack, 29, from his marriage to actress Joanne Whalley.