Tom Cruise pays tribute to Val Kilmer with a moment of silence at CinemaCon

Tom Cruise Honors “Dear Friend” Val Kilmer at CinemaCon

Actor Tom Cruise paused to remember his former co-star and “Top Gun” colleague, Val Kilmer, during his appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. While at the event on Thursday to promote “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” Cruise took a moment to pay tribute to Kilmer, who recently passed away.

Moment of Silence for Kilmer

Before presenting a preview of the highly anticipated action film to the CinemaCon audience, Cruise, age 62, requested a moment of silence to honor the memory of Val Kilmer. “I want to acknowledge a cherished friend, Val Kilmer,” Cruise stated, according to reports. He further expressed his admiration, saying, “I deeply admire his body of work, and I was incredibly grateful and honored when he joined the cast of ‘Top Gun’ and returned for ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’”

“Top Gun” Legacy and Friendship

Kilmer famously depicted Lieutenant Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the original 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun,” which starred Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. In the film, their characters began as rival pilots before developing a close friendship.

The success of “Top Gun” significantly boosted both Kilmer and Cruise’s careers, establishing them as major movie stars with numerous box office hits.

Kilmer’s Return in “Top Gun: Maverick”

In 2022, Kilmer reprised his iconic role as Iceman in a cameo appearance in the sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” This marked his final acting credit.

Cruise Reflects on Kilmer’s Impact

During his CinemaCon appearance, Cruise shared reflections on his friendship with Kilmer and the impact of Kilmer’s career. “It would be meaningful if we could collectively observe a moment of silence,” Cruise suggested, emphasizing Kilmer’s love for cinema and his significant contributions. He encouraged attendees to reflect on “all the wonderful times that we shared with him.”

Praise for Kilmer’s Storytelling

Cruise also praised Kilmer’s exceptional talent for storytelling, drawing a comparison to Irving Thalberg, a pioneering film producer. News outlets reported Cruise’s commendation of Kilmer as someone who “forged through it all and was able to craft epic adventures for audiences worldwide.” He further declared, “You are a timeless artist. You are our contemporary Thalberg.”

Kilmer’s Fondness for “Top Gun” Reunion

In a 2022 interview, Kilmer expressed his “pleasure” at the opportunity to revisit his role as Iceman and collaborate with Cruise again. He remarked on the enjoyable nature of filming the scene with Cruise, emphasizing their professional approach and camaraderie.

Kilmer’s Passing and Health Journey

Val Kilmer passed away at the age of 65 due to pneumonia, as confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer.

Kilmer had previously received a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2015. While initially private about his condition, he later shared his health journey in a 2021 documentary titled “Val,” which chronicled his experiences.

Iceman’s Storyline in “Top Gun: Maverick”

Following a tracheostomy, Kilmer’s ability to speak was affected, and he utilized a voice box. Notably, in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Iceman’s character also faces a battle with cancer. In a poignant scene, Maverick seeks Iceman’s counsel regarding a potentially perilous mission. Iceman, communicating through typed words, advises, “It’s time to let go,” to which Maverick responds emotionally, “I don’t know how.”

Iceman does have a spoken line in the film, reportedly achieved using voice recreation technology from Sonantic, according to Kilmer’s daughter.

Although Kilmer announced he was cancer-free in 2021, his family has not disclosed whether his pneumonia was connected to his previous cancer diagnosis.