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Tom Cruise recently honored his late Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer, who passed away at 65. At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Cruise promoted Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and took a moment to honor Kilmer. He urged the audience to hold a moment of silence for Kilmer before discussing his stunts as Ethan Hunt. From the stage at Caesars Palace, Cruise said:
“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.”
The Wingmen: Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer
Cruise and Kilmer met on the set of the 1986 film Top Gun, playing rival pilots Maverick and Iceman. The film chronicled the journey of adversaries to friends at the U.S. Navy’s Fighter Weapons School. The project was a massive success with $350 million worldwide. It earned the year’s highest-grossing film and established Cruise and Kilmer as major stars. Kilmer returned alongside Cruise as Iceman for an emotional sequence in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick.
It marked his final on-screen appearance after being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, which affected his speech. Cruise’s Maverick confides in Iceman about the risks of sending Rooster (Miles Teller) on a dangerous mission. In the movie Iceman also faces a terminal illness, and Kilmer’s character’s voice was recreated using AI.
Reddit users have described Cruise’s latest move with sweet words. “What a classy gesture. I hope they’re wingmen again in the hereafter when Tom’s time comes 150 years from now,” this commenter wrote. Others praised Cruise’s action as “a nice gesture,” while a user wondered what “Next Journey means to Tom Cruise.” Another Reddit user guessed Kilmer may get “his own planet” in Cruise’s next sequel.
Val Kilmer’s Teeming Fans Thought His Death Was a Prank
Due to the timing, Kilmer’s death shocked fans; many initially believed it was an April Fools’ joke. Comments on social media express disbelief and grief over Kilmer’s passing at age 65. One user warned, “If this is an April Fools joke, f-ck you,” while another voiced, “That’s really sad. Rip.” Kilmer, an iconic actor, is remembered for classic films, including Batman Forever and Tombstone.
One commenter captured the sentiment well, calling him “One HELLA of an Actor!” His legacy has left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. In 2015, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, which significantly affected his vocal cords. Despite his health challenges, he persevered through treatment. The TV star continued to advance his career as a professional actor in the years that followed.
Josh Brolin Paid His Last Respect to the Late Moviestar
We shared that Brolin recently paid tribute to Kilmer following the actor’s passing, sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram. The pair worked together in the 1995 film Heat. He described Kilmer as a “smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker.” Brolin expressed his sorrow with the words, “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you.” The actor then reflected on the uniqueness of Kilmer’s talent, noting that such individuals are rare in the industry.
He concluded his post with a poignant hope to reunite with Kilmer in the afterlife. Brolin cherished their wonderful memories, as the post resonated deeply with fans, who flooded the comments. Kilmer is widely recognized for his acting career but is also a gifted artist. He showcases his modern artwork on his Instagram account, where fans can explore posts celebrating his creative talent.
Val Kilmer’s iconic legacy continues to shine even in death!
