During a heartfelt tribute, Cruise reflects on Kilmer's contributions to film and their shared experiences in "Top Gun."
Tribute to Val Kilmer: Tom Cruise Reflects on a Lasting Friendship
Tribute to Val Kilmer: Tom Cruise Reflects on a Lasting Friendship
Tom Cruise honors his late co-star Val Kilmer at CinemaCon, highlighting their enduring bond.
In a poignant moment at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Tom Cruise paid tribute to his beloved co-star Val Kilmer, who passed away at the age of 65. As the audience at The Colosseum theatre sat in silence, Cruise honored Kilmer, emphasizing the deep respect he held for him both as an actor and as a friend. "I can't tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being and how grateful and honored I was when he joined Top Gun," Cruise shared, recalling Kilmer's iconic role as Ice Man in the classic 1986 film.
Kilmer's last performance was in the 2022 sequel, "Top Gun: Maverick," where he reprised his role under challenging circumstances due to health issues stemming from throat cancer. Prior to his passing, Kilmer's family revealed that he had succumbed to pneumonia after undergoing two tracheotomies, which limited his ability to communicate verbally.
The heartfelt tribute was one of Cruise's few public responses after Kilmer's death, showcasing just how much their collaboration meant to him. "I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional," Cruise expressed on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" as he reminisced on the time spent with Kilmer on set. He described Kilmer as "such a brilliant actor" and conveyed his deep affection for their friendship.
Cruise's tribute took place during the Paramount Pictures presentation, where he also unveiled a sneak peek trailer for his upcoming film "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning." The event celebrated the film industry and Kilmer's legacy, cementing his status as a cherished figure among Hollywood elites.
The memories of Val Kilmer, known for his diverse and memorable roles—from portraying Batman to Jim Morrison—flooded in from across the industry, as he is remembered as a unique talent whose influence will continue to resonate in film history.
Kilmer's last performance was in the 2022 sequel, "Top Gun: Maverick," where he reprised his role under challenging circumstances due to health issues stemming from throat cancer. Prior to his passing, Kilmer's family revealed that he had succumbed to pneumonia after undergoing two tracheotomies, which limited his ability to communicate verbally.
The heartfelt tribute was one of Cruise's few public responses after Kilmer's death, showcasing just how much their collaboration meant to him. "I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional," Cruise expressed on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" as he reminisced on the time spent with Kilmer on set. He described Kilmer as "such a brilliant actor" and conveyed his deep affection for their friendship.
Cruise's tribute took place during the Paramount Pictures presentation, where he also unveiled a sneak peek trailer for his upcoming film "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning." The event celebrated the film industry and Kilmer's legacy, cementing his status as a cherished figure among Hollywood elites.
The memories of Val Kilmer, known for his diverse and memorable roles—from portraying Batman to Jim Morrison—flooded in from across the industry, as he is remembered as a unique talent whose influence will continue to resonate in film history.
