Tom Cruise has paid tribute to his friend and fellow Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer, who has died at the age of 65 after a battle with throat cancer
Tom Cruise has delivered a heartfelt tribute to his “dear friend” and Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer, who sadly passed away at 65.
The Mission Impossible actor, 62, took to the stage at Caesar’s Palace’s Colosseum in Las Vegas during CinemaCon to honour the Batman star.
He said: “I’d like to honour a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer. I can’t tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honoured 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 he had with him.”
He ended the tribute with “I wish you well on the next journey” and a poignant moment of silence for Kilmer.
Cruise graced the event to chat about his upcoming movie, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, set to hit UK cinemas on May 21.
Cruise and Kilmer met on the set of the original Top Gun set back in 1986 where they played rival fighter pilots at the U.S. Navy’s Fighter Weapons School. When the film was remade in 2022, Cruise shared his joy over Kilmer reprising his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick.
After the second film premiered, Cruise spoke of holding back tears while shooting with Kilmer. He told Jimmy Kimmel: “I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades. 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.”
Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, and although he recovered, he lost his ability to speak. In Top Gun: Maverick, his voice was recreated using AI. In the film, Cruise’s Maverick confides in Iceman, who is battling a terminal disease, about whether to send his protégé Rooster on a potentially fatal mission.
“It’s time to let go,” Iceman types on his computer which then speaks the words: “The Navy needs Maverick. The kid needs Maverick. That’s why I fought for you. That’s why you’re still here.”
This ended up being Val Kilmer’s last on-screen appearance.
Mercedes Kilmer, Val’s daughter, confirmed his passing late on Tuesday night to the New York Times. She shared that he died from pneumonia in Los Angeles.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
