Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has honored his late “Top Gun” co-star Val Kilmer, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 65 due to pneumonia. The legendary actor paid an emotional tribute to the deceased at CinemaCon.
During the Paramount Pictures presentation 2025 in Las Vegas, Cruise paused to reflect on Kilmer’s significant contributions to cinema, stating, “I really 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’ and then came back for ‘Top Gun: Maverick.'” He then led the audience in a moment of silence, concluding with, “Thank you, Val. I wish you well on your next journey.”
Also Read: Legendary Hollywood Actor, Val Kilmer Dies At 65
Kilmer was celebrated for his versatile roles in films such as “The Doors,” “Batman Forever,” and “Tombstone.” Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, he underwent a tracheostomy that affected his speech. Despite these challenges, Kilmer reprised his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick,” utilizing AI voice technology to recreate his voice.
Reflecting on their collaboration, Cruise shared that reuniting with Kilmer for the sequel was deeply moving, noting, “I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.”
Kilmer is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack, who have expressed gratitude for the public’s support during this difficult time. The entertainment industry continues to pay tribute to Kilmer’s enduring legacy and the profound impact of his work.
