Tom Cruise Remembers Val Kilmer at CinemaCon Tribute

During the event, Cruise led a moment of silence for Kilmer, expressing admiration for his talent and gratitude for their collaboration in "Top Gun." The tribute highlighted Kilmer's impactful roles and emotional connection shared with Cruise, especially noted during the filming of "Top Gun: Maverick."

Tom Cruise took the stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to pay tribute to his late friend and former co-star, Val Kilmer, who passed away this week at the age of 65. Leading an audience full of industry professionals in a moment of silence, Cruise said, "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 honoured I was when he joined Top Gun." Kilmer, known for his role as Ice Man in the 1986 classic "Top Gun," had his last film appearance in the 2022 sequel "Top Gun: Maverick."

Cruise bowed his head in remembrance at the Colosseum theatre and added, "Thank you, Val - wish you well on your next journey." His emotional recollections of Kilmer were a poignant moment during the Paramount Pictures presentation, which also included a sneak peek of his upcoming film "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning." The tribute to Kilmer came after Cruise shared how moving it was to work with him again, mentioning on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" that he was emotional while filming their scenes together.

Kilmer's family revealed he had succumbed to pneumonia following treatments for throat cancer, which had required him to undergo two tracheotomies. This led to him using a voice box for communication, reflecting his challenges during the production of "Top Gun: Maverick," where he typed messages to convey dialogue. Those scenes—particularly a moment where Iceman tells Maverick, "The Navy needs Maverick"—showcased the deep friendship between the two characters and their actors. As Hollywood mourns Kilmer's loss, Cruise’s heartfelt tribute exemplifies the bond they shared on and off the screen.