CinemaCon Shuts Down for a Moment of Silence as Tom Cruise Honors Late Friend Val Kilmer

Tom Cruise took a moment to honor his late friend and former co-star Val Kilmer during his appearance at CinemaCon on April 3, 2023. The actor, who was in Las Vegas to promote Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, paid tribute to Kilmer, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 65.

Before showcasing a sneak peek of his latest action film, Cruise, 62, addressed the audience with a somber tribute to the Top Gun legend. “I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise said, according to E! News. “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.”

Kilmer’s portrayal of Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazanski in the 1986 Top Gun film alongside Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is one of the most iconic rivalries in cinematic history. Their characters started as fierce competitors but eventually became lifelong friends, both on and off screen. Top Gun was a career-defining film for both actors, launching them into superstardom and making them household names.

When Top Gun: Maverick was released in 2022, Kilmer made a brief yet emotional cameo as Iceman, his final acting credit. His role was particularly poignant, as it mirrored Kilmer’s own battle with health challenges, including his ongoing struggle with throat cancer. Cruise reflected on Kilmer’s friendship and the impact he made on the film industry.

“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,” Cruise continued, his voice filled with emotion. “Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him.”

Cruise also praised Kilmer’s artistry and dedication to storytelling, comparing him to Irving Thalberg, a legendary film producer known for his contributions to early cinema. “This man forged through it all and was able to create epic adventures for global audiences,” Cruise said. “You are an artist for all time. You are our modern-day Thalberg.”

In his 2022 interview with Collider, Kilmer had spoken fondly of reuniting with Cruise for Top Gun: Maverick, calling it a “pleasure” to work with him again. “We are paid to act and that’s what we did in the scene,” Kilmer had said. “But doing so with a class act like Tom made it a pleasure, and less like work!”

Kilmer passed away after a long battle with throat cancer, which he had kept private until it was revealed in the 2021 documentary Val. The actor underwent a tracheostomy, which affected his ability to speak, and he used a voice box to communicate. In his final Top Gun: Maverick scene, Iceman’s character is also depicted as battling cancer, with Maverick visiting him for advice on sending a crew member on a potentially dangerous mission. Kilmer’s character, through the use of advanced voice technology, speaks the line, “It’s time to let go,” as Maverick struggles with the decision.

Kilmer’s death has left a lasting impact on the Hollywood community, and Cruise’s tribute at CinemaCon highlighted the deep respect and friendship the two shared. With his heartfelt words, Cruise reminded everyone of Kilmer’s immense contributions to the film industry and the personal bond they had cultivated over decades of collaboration.