At CinemaCon 2025, Tom Cruise took a heartfelt moment to honor his longtime friend and fellow actor, Val Kilmer, who tragically passed away at the age of 65 this week.
The tribute occurred as Cruise stood on stage at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, reflecting on the profound impact Kilmer had on both cinema and his personal life.
“I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise began, his voice filled with emotion. According to reports by Variety, Cruise paused for a moment before continuing, “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.”
The tribute was a rare, personal break for Tom Cruise, who was otherwise focused on promoting his upcoming film, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. In front of a somber, silent audience, Cruise took the time to reflect on his long friendship with Kilmer. “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. “Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him.”
Val Kilmer, who portrayed the iconic Tom “Iceman” Kazansky alongside Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the original Top Gun (1986), had reprised his role in the highly anticipated Top Gun: Maverick (2022). His return to the screen in that film became one of its most emotional and memorable moments, with fans and critics alike celebrating his performance. It was clear that the bond between Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer had remained strong despite the years and the challenges they both faced in their careers.
As Cruise’s tribute came to a close, he bowed his head and clasped his hands together in respect. “I wish you well on the next journey,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.
While CinemaCon was primarily focused on the unveiling of upcoming films, this poignant moment allowed Hollywood to pause and honor a true legend—Val Kilmer, whose contributions to cinema and enduring friendship with Tom Cruise will never be forgotten.