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Tom Cruise pays heartwarming tribute to his ‘Top Gun’ co-star Val Kilmer at CinemaCon

By Sophia Soto | Last updated Apr 3, 2025 5:32 PM ET

While on stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Tom Cruise asked those in attendance to join him in a moment of silence to honor the late Val Kilmer. The two worked together in Top Gun and both returned for 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, which was Kilmer's last on-screen appearance.

"I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer," Cruise expressed. "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. 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."

He then added, "I wish you well on the next journey." The 65-year-old actor passed away on Tuesday from pneumonia, surrounded by his family and friends.

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"I just want to say that [scene] was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades," Cruise previously said on Jimmy Kimmel Live regarding Maverick and Iceman's reunion. "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."

He continued to confess that he "was crying" and "got emotional" before commenting, "[Kilmer is] such a brilliant actor, and I love his work."

Many others have paid tribute to Kilmer since his death, including his other Top Gun co-stars. "Val Kilmer, in a life time as an artist, created work that touched so many in so many mediums," Anthony Edwards told PEOPLE in a statement. "Hoping he is at peace."

Danny Ramirez wrote on his Instagram Stories, "I felt lucky to be in the same room. A brilliant and generous performer and one of the coolest to ever do it. Rest in peace, Val."

The third Top Gun is currently in early development. Cruise was at CinemaCon to discuss Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which hits theaters this summer.

Sophia Soto

Sophia Soto is a writer and interviewer with a passion for all things entertainment. She is a Senior Reporter at The Nerds of Color and contributes to Yardbarker, Screensphere, Den of Geek, What to Watch, Nerdtropolis, and Temple of Geek. You can see her past work on Remezcla, Young Hollywood, Looper, Paste Magazine, Primetimer, Soundsphere, and Starry Constellation Magazine

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