After news of Val Kilmer’s death from pneumonia broke on April 1, Tom Cruise acknowledged his longtime friend and co-star, People reported.
While appearing at CinemaCon on April 3, Cruise told the audience, “I’d like to take a moment before we get started today to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer.”
He continued, “I can’t tell you how much I admired his work and him as a human being, how grateful and honored I was that he joined ‘Top Gun’ and came back for ‘Top Gun: Maverick.'”
The “Mission: Impossible” star then asked the audience to join him in a moment of silence to pay respect to Kilmer and his love of filmmaking.
“Thank you Val. I wish you well on your next journey. Thank you all for doing that. I know he appreciates it,” Cruise said after taking a few minutes to honor his late friend.
Cruise Revealed He Cried During ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Reunion With Kilmer
During a February 2023 appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Cruise opened up about reuniting with Kilmer on-screen after almost forty years.
“That was pretty emotional. 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 … you’re looking at Iceman with that,” Cruise said of filming “Top Gun: Maverick” with Kilmer.
When host Jimmy Kimmel asked if Cruise cried during a heavy “Top Gun: Maverick” scene, the “Interview with the Vampire” star admitted, “I was crying. I got emotional.”
Cruise added, “He’s such a brilliant actor, and I love his work.”
Kilmer Said He Was ‘Moved’ by ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
“Top Gun: Maverick” was poignant for fans and the actors after watching how the characters grew over the years.
“I was very moved the first time I saw it. Almost 40 years is a long time for a reunion. We laughed all day. Tom is great and surprisingly funny!!” Kilmer told USA Today in May 2022.
Director Joseph Kosinski shared, “It’s a long friendship. They were both there at their career beginnings with the original ‘Top Gun.'”
He added, “I’m sure there was a little bit of a rivalry back then, just like the characters. But for both to be back in this movie, it was a really special moment. There was so much joy.”
Kilmer revealed that when he had learned of the “Top Gun” sequel years ago, he couldn’t wait to reprise his role as Iceman. “I called the agent immediately. Yes, ‘Top Gun’ has all the perfect elements for a sequel,” he told USA Today.
When the Maverick and Iceman say their goodbyes at the end of “Maverick,” Kilmer said he and Cruise weren’t completely acting. “I love Tom. We’ve always gotten along great,” he said.
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Tom Cruise Pays Tribute to Val Kilmer