At a film convention, the 62-year-old actor paused the excitement to reflect on a personal loss, turning a promotional moment into something deeply personal.
Tom Cruise paid emotional tribute to Val Kilmer, his “Top Gun” co-star, during CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 3, 2025 —two days after Kilmer died at 65.
While promoting “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” at Caesars Palace, Cruise asked the audience to take a moment to remember Kilmer, describing him as someone who deeply loved movies and gave so much to the industry and those around him.
Tom Cruise bows his head and pauses for a moment of silence for Val Kilmer at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas on April 3, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
“I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise said. “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.'” He ended the tribute by saying, “I wish you well on the next journey.”
Cruise and Kilmer first starred together in the 1986 action drama, where they played rival fighter pilots Maverick and Iceman. The film earned $350 million globally and became the year’s top-grossing release. Nearly four decades later, they shared the screen once more in the 2022 follow-up, which marked Kilmer’s final on-screen role.
