Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Tom Cruise Honors the Late Val Kilmer at CinemaCon
Tom Cruise delivered a heartfelt tribute to his “dear friend” and Top Gun co-star, Val Kilmer, who recently passed away at the age of 65. The acclaimed actor, known for the Mission Impossible series, addressed attendees at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to celebrate the life and career of Kilmer, famous for his role as Batman.
Addressing the CinemaCon audience, Cruise expressed his deep admiration for Kilmer’s work and conveyed his gratitude and honor in having him in both Top Gun films, stating, “I can’t tell you how much I admire his work.” He requested a moment of silence to remember Kilmer, recognizing his love for cinema and his contributions, adding, “He loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us.” Cruise further dedicated a moment of silence to the late actor during the event.
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Cruise attended CinemaCon to promote his upcoming film, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, scheduled for release on May 21 in the UK.
Cruise on Kilmer’s Return for Top Gun: Maverick
In a prior interview, Cruise shared his positive feelings about Kilmer returning to the role of Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick. He described the experience as “pretty emotional,” having known Kilmer for many years. Cruise emphasized Kilmer’s acting prowess, stating, “He’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again. You’re looking at Iceman.”
Cause of Death
Val Kilmer’s passing was confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, who informed the New York Times that his death resulted from complications related to pneumonia.
Kilmer’s Illustrious Career and Health Battles
The esteemed actor enjoyed an extensive career, earning him the strong admiration of a global fanbase. Kilmer, who received a throat cancer diagnosis in 2014, remained largely out of public view in his later years.
Health Condition and Treatment
Due to his health condition, Kilmer underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He ultimately required a tracheostomy, a surgical procedure creating an opening in his neck to aid breathing, after his throat swelling reached a critical point.
Documentary on Health Journey
In a revealing Amazon Prime documentary, Kilmer openly shared his experiences with throat cancer, detailing how the illness profoundly altered his life, including the loss of his natural voice and his reliance on an artificial voice box for communication.
Kilmer’s Own Words on His Condition
In his own words within the documentary, Kilmer described his condition, stating, “I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can’t speak without plugging this hole [in his throat].” His illness also necessitated feeding through a tube.
He further explained the daily challenges, “You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It’s an ever-present challenge for anyone interacting with him.”