By Mallory Mattingly
Tom Cruise honored his TOP GUN costar Val Kilmer following Kilmer’s death last week.
“I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise said at CinemaCon, per Variety. “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.”
“I wish you well on the next journey,” Cruise concluded.
Kilmer suffered from several health issues in recent years.
He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but didn’t disclose it until 2017, PEOPLE reported.
After the diagnosis, Kilmer underwent a “tracheostomy that permanently damaged his speaking voice” as well as “radiation and chemotherapy treatments,” according to PEOPLE.
Despite the major health setback, Kilmer found a new reason to live.
“Now that it’s more difficult to speak, I want to tell my story more than ever,” he said in the Amazon Original Documentary, VAL.
Kilmer died on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, after he suffered from pneumonia.
In 2022, Kilmer and Cruise reunited in TOP GUN: MAVERICK. Kilmer returned as Iceman and was featured in an emotional scene that would be his last on-screen performance. At the time, he was unable to speak due the procedures he underwent for his throat cancer, so his voice was recreated using AI.
In the scene, Iceman and Maverick discuss whether to send Rooster on a high-stakes mission.
Iceman typed on the computer to Maverick, “It’s time to let go. The Navy needs Maverick. The kid needs Maverick. That’s why I fought for you. That’s why you’re still here.”
Related: TOP GUN’s Val Kilmer Dies After Living ‘Blessed’ Life
While on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE in 2023, Cruise spoke about the scene and how emotional it was for him and Kilmer.
“I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades,” Cruise said. “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.”
After Kilmer’s performance in TOP GUN: MAVERICK, he told the Los Angeles Times that playing that role again was “very personal and moving.”
“I can’t believe how kind the whole world has been…It’s very humbling,” he said of the world’s reaction to him returning as Iceman.
Pray for Kilmer’s family and friends as they all mourn the loss of their dear friend and family member.
Read Next: Tom Cruise Moved to Tears During TOP GUN: MAVERICK Reunion With Val Kilmer
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