Tom Cruise pays his respects to Tom Gun: Maverick co-star Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer's untimely death shook the world as the celebrated actor, known for his work in films like Top Gun, Batman Forever and Heat left behind a legacy that will be remembered by generations. As the news broke on 1st April, 2025, tributes have been pouring in for the beloved actor as co-stars, directors, actors and other people he worked with came forward to pay their respects to the powerhouse performer.

Tom Cruise, who worked with Kilmer on Top Gun: Maverick, took a few moments to remember his legacy at the 2025 CinemaCon, where he made a rare appearance to promote Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Before bowing down to a few moments of silence, Cruise told the audience,

“I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer. 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.”

Prior to this, Joseph Kosinski spoke about the close bond the actors shared as they worked together on Top Gun: Maverick. Talking to THR’s Behind the Screen, Kosinski said,

“To see how much respect they had for each other as actors, and to see a friendship that has evolved over 36 years — it really mirrored what you see onscreen in the scene. They are just two actors at the top of their game doing this really beautiful scene for the film that’s so important. It was a very emotional day on set.”

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How did Val Kilmer pass away?

At 65, Val Kilmer died of pneumonia in Los Angeles, as his daughter Mercedes confirmed. The actor has struggled with throat cancer since 2014, something that has had a large effect on his voice, following his acting career. In 2021, he released a documentary titled Val that explored his acting career and his life as he dealt with his illness.

Some of his most memorable roles include starring as Batman in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever, Iceman in Top Gun, Jim Morrison in The Doors, and Doc Holliday in Tombstone. His last acting credit was Admiral Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick, where his voice had to be generated with technology.

Kilmer is survived by his two children, son Jack Kilmer and daughter Mercedes Kilmer.