Tom Cruise Breaks His Silence on the Death of 'Top Gun' Co-Star Val Kilmer

At a film convention, the 62-year-old actor paused the excitement to reflect on a personal loss, turning a promotional moment into something deeply personal.

Tom Cruise paid emotional tribute to his "Top Gun" co-star Val Kilmer during CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 3, 2025 — two days after Kilmer passed away at the age of 65 from pneumonia.

While promoting "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" at Caesars Palace, Cruise asked the audience to take a moment to remember Kilmer, describing him as someone who deeply loved movies and gave so much to the industry and those around him.

"I'd like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer," Cruise said. "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.'" He ended the tribute by saying, "I wish you well on the next journey."

The crowd responded with a moment of silence, quietly honoring Kilmer's memory inside the packed auditorium.

Cruise and Kilmer first starred together in the 1986 action drama, where they played rival fighter pilots Maverick and Iceman. The film earned $350 million globally and became the year's top-grossing release.

Nearly four decades later, they shared the screen once more in the 2022 follow-up, which marked Kilmer's final on-screen role.

In a 2013 interview with Larry King, Kilmer reflected on working with Cruise during the original production. He said, "That was a lot of fun. It was a great camaraderie in the film and of course, you know, two of the three. I would say Tom is the... you know, ended up being the glue to the project. You know, he wasn't that superstar yet…[sic]"

When King asked if he liked working with Cruise, Kilmer replied, "Yeah. It was fun. You know, hard worker. My guy didn’t like him, but you know, it was fun to not like him."

In 1986, Kilmer also spoke about the strength of the creative team behind the film, "I think the actors and the direction and the producing. It was a really good group, and they worked together very well and you can tell when something works or it doesn't, when you're doing it."

Decades later, Cruise shared how strongly he advocated for Kilmer to be in the original film, "You know, in the first one, I really rallied hard for him to make the movie because I wanted him in the film. He's such a tremendous actor. I was like, you just gotta go and tackle this guy, 'cause I was like, 'Val, you gotta make this movie, you're gonna be amazing.'"

In the sequel, Iceman supported Maverick at a pivotal moment. He explained that he fought to keep Maverick in the Navy because he believed Maverick was still needed. Reflecting on the scene, Cruise said, "And a kind of talent that he has, and you see that scene, it's very special. It's just very special."

Cruise's heartfelt tribute to Kilmer follows emotional messages shared by actress Michelle Pfeiffer and singer Cher.

Pfeiffer honored him through a post on her official Instagram Stories on April 2. In the post, Pfeiffer shared a black-and-white photo from their 1985 collaboration on the ABC Afterschool Specials episode, "One Too Many."

In the image, the "Ladyhawke" alum is seen lying on her side beside Kilmer. She is smiling at him with her arm gently placed over his shoulder.

The two starred together in the episode, which first aired on May 1, 1985. The drama focused on the lives of four high school friends whose futures are altered after one of them causes a tragic accident while driving under the influence.

In his 2020 memoir, "I'm Your Huckleberry," Kilmer recalled the bond he formed with Pfeiffer during their time working together.

He wrote, "that Michelle and I shared created an intimacy between us. She had no one else to talk to about Peter; I had no one else to talk to about my parents. Plus, I had an all-consuming crush on Michelle's younger sis [sic]…"

Years earlier, Kilmer also shared fond memories of that time in a Facebook post dated November 16, 2018. In the post, he recalled meeting Pfeiffer through her then-husband, Peter Horton, and actress Mare Winningham, whom Kilmer described as his first high school girlfriend.

He noted the unique experience of working with all three on the same project, referring to "One Too Many" as a "morality play" meant to teach young viewers.

In his words, "Michelle was so incredibly beautiful and talented and fun, she must have been surprised that I had a crush on her little sister Lori instead!"

He added that the cast shared enjoyable moments during the shoot, including time spent in the Pecos wilderness in New Mexico. Reflecting on their careers since then, the "Willow" star wrote, "Mare has I think 15 Emmys and Michelle has at least one Oscar and I have very fond memories of way too much fun..."

Michelle Pfeiffer's message, along with Kilmer's recollections, highlights the brief yet meaningful connection they shared.

Cher publicly acknowledged the death of her former partner in an emotional post on X, the same day Pfeiffer shared her tribute. The singer, who dated Kilmer in the 1980s, honored the actor's memory by highlighting his wit, artistry, and strength throughout his battle with illness.

In her social media post, the singer wrote, "VALUS Will miss u, U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the ass, GREAT FRIEND, kids💜U, BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness [sic]." She affectionately referred to him as "Valus," a nickname from their time together.

The two developed a deep and lasting friendship after their romantic relationship ended, one that persisted for more than 40 years. In a past interview, she expressed deep fondness for many of her former partners, like Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman. But about Kilmer, she admitted, "When we kissed, I thought my head would shoot right off my body."

Their story began in the early 1980s, when they met at a birthday party hosted by one of Cher's friends. Although there was an age gap between them — Kilmer was in his early 20s, and she was in her 30s—the pair quickly bonded over their shared sense of humor and creative spirits.

She once said they were just friends at first who laughed constantly, but that soon turned into a romance. In a 2021 People interview, the singer reflected on their unique connection, "He's like nobody I've ever known. He is exasperating and hysterical. Thrilling and funny, and doesn't do what anyone else does."

She also explained how the relationship evolved, "It went from madly in love and laughing hysterically to respecting each other's ability." The two often gave each other playful nicknames, including Sid and Ethel, and later, Valus Maximus and Cherus Reprimandus.

In a 2024 appearance on "The Howard Stern Show," Cher was asked what kind of man would ever leave her. She responded candidly that a couple of men did, including Kilmer. Like in other interviews, she repeated she was "madly in love" with him, but it didn't last.

When the talk show host pressed further, she explained, "Sometimes you're only meant to stay with someone so long," adding that Kilmer was very young during their time together.

Still, the singer and the actor maintained a great friendship. She recalled a New Year's Eve spent doing art projects with their children, and shared how Kilmer supported her acting, even helping with her screen test for the film "Mask."

She was also by his side during his illness, spending time with him at her home and witnessing firsthand the courage he showed while battling serious health issues. The actor had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and had since recovered, while continuing to create art and sharing his story, like in the documentary "Val."

Cher finished her 2021 interview by sending him a message, "I love the things that pissed me off, the things that made me hysterical, amazed, hurt, astonished, etc. You are brave and beyond brilliant. Ethel."