...
By Mandy Taheri and Gabe Whisnant
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Actor Tom Cruise delivered a heartfelt message and called for a moment of silence at CinemaCon to honor his Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer, who died on Tuesday at age 65.
The Context
Kilmer's death from pneumonia comes after years of public and private health struggles, most notably his long battle with throat cancer. Diagnosed in 2014, Kilmer initially denied the diagnosis publicly before confirming it in a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Read More on Entertainment
Kilmer's illness impacted his career and public appearances. After undergoing a tracheotomy and radiation treatments, he lost the ability to speak naturally. His condition became more known through the 2021 documentary Val, which chronicled his health journey alongside rare footage from decades of his personal and professional life.
Cruise, 62, starred as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell opposite Kilmer's Tom "Iceman" Kazansky in 1986's Top Gun. The duo reunited on screen in the 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick. Cruise has said in previous interviews how meaningful it was to share the screen with Kilmer again.
...
What To Know
On Thursday morning at CinemaCon, held at the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Cruise told the audience, "I'd like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer," Variety first reported.
"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," Cruise said.
The actor then asked the crowd to join him for a moment of silence, saying, "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 we had with him."
Along with Top Gun, Kilmer was best known for roles in The Doors and Batman Forever.
Cruise concluded his speech by telling Kilmer, "I wish you well on the next journey."
What People Are Saying
Actor James Woods posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: "His rendition of Doc Holliday in Tombstone was what every actor dreams of achieving. So many wonderful performances. Sad to lose him so soon. RIP Val Kilmer."
Actor and filmmaker Matthew Modine, on X on Tuesday: "RIP Val Kilmer. If it wasn't for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in FULL METAL JACKET. Thanks, Val."
Frozen star Josh Gad, on Instagram: "RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon. #valkilmer"
Actor Josh Brolin, on Instagram: "See ya, pal. I'm going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There's not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.#valkilmer #marktwain."
Cher, who dated Kilmer from 1982 to 1984, wrote Wednesday on X: "VALUS
Will miss u, U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the a**,GREAT FRIEND, kids💜U,
BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness."
What Happens Next
Kilmer is survived by his two children, Jack and Mercedes, whom he shared with his ex-wife, actor Joanne Whalley. Plans for a memorial have not been publicly announced.
Cruise was at CinemaCon to promote Mission: Impossible–The Final Reckoning, which will be released in theaters on May 23.
Update 4/3/25, 4:41 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines