Tom Cruise pays tribute to Val Kilmer at CinemaCon after his passing

In Las Vegas, USA, Tom Cruise paid tribute to his late co-star Val Kilmer during a presentation at CinemaCon. Kilmer, who gained fame for his role as Iceman in the 1986 film Top Gun, died from pneumonia at the age of 65 on April 1, 2025. In his speech, Cruise expressed his admiration for Kilmer's work, acknowledging their decades-long friendship, and reminisced about the emotional reunion they shared while filming Top Gun: Maverick. This gathering was marked by a moment of silence, allowing attendees to reflect on Kilmer's contributions to the film industry. Cruise noted how grateful he was to work with Kilmer again and emphasized the significance of honoring someone who loved movies as much as Kilmer did. This heartfelt tribute followed Kilmer's struggle with health issues due to a throat cancer diagnosis in 2015, leading to a tracheostomy that permanently altered his speaking ability. The bond formed between Cruise and Kilmer during their time together on set highlighted the deep respect and connection they shared through their work.