While promoting the eagerly awaited Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Tom Cruise made a poignant detour to pay tribute to his late Top Gun co-star and close friend, Val Kilmer.
It was a silent, potent moment. As he stood on stage, Cruise took a moment away from the thrill of a big-budget speech to consider a guy whose influence was profoundly personal and whose legacy influenced Hollywood history.
I can’t express how much I respect his work or how appreciative and honored I was when he appeared on “Top Gun” and returned for “Top Gun: Maverick,” Cruise said to the audience.
In remembrance of a life spent with passion, artistry, and an enduring presence, he then invited the audience to join him in a moment of quiet.
“He gave a lot to all of us and loved movies.” Consider all of the amazing moments we shared with him,” Cruise continued, clearly touched.
Cruise concluded the homage with a final, very human statement as the assembly went hushed in awe:
“Good luck on your upcoming journey.”
In the 1986 action classic Top Gun, Cruise played the bold and belligerent Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, while Kilmer played his cool, self-assured competitor Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. This was the first time Cruise and Kilmer appeared together on screen. Their competition on screen became legendary and served as the basis for a friendship that would endure for decades in real life.
They reconnected in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, where Kilmer, in spite of health issues, made a strong appearance. Given that Kilmer had lost a large portion of his voice due to illness, the poignant scene between Maverick and Iceman struck a deep chord with fans, making his performance all the more brave and significant.
Bidding Farewell to a Legend
Val Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes Kilmer revealed that he died of pneumonia. He was sixty-five.
In recent years, his health has become precarious. Kilmer had a tracheotomy after being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, which hampered his capacity to talk. Despite this, he continued to convey his passion of movies, his art, and his opinions.
Kilmer continued to be active and inspirational in spite of his sickness. In 2021, he even released a stirring documentary called Val, which gave fans a unique, up-close view at his life, hardships, and victories.
Jack Kilmer and Mercedes Kilmer, his children, both carry on his legacy without him.
Beyond a Performer — A Hollywood Original
Few can compare to the quantity of work that Val Kilmer left behind, from his iconic role as Jim Morrison in The Doors to his eerily brilliant portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone. Every role he played had depth, charm, and edge; he consistently pushed the envelope and made an impact.
A kinship created on site, established over years, and cemented in legacy was acknowledged in Tom Cruise’s public homage, which went beyond a simple farewell.
Peace be with you, Val Kilmer.
Your art, your voice, and your presence will endure.
