- Val Kilmer has died at the age of 65
- The Hollywood icon starred in a range of blockbuster movies
- His Top Gun co-star Tom Cruise recalled their emotional final scene together
Val Kilmer and his Top Gun co-star Tom Cruise clearly shared quite the bond.
As actors of the same generation, both came to prominence throughout the 1980s and 1990s and both shared the screen together in the 1986 action epic Top Gun.
Directed by Tony Scott, Cruise played ace flyboy Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, with Kilmer playing his frenemies Tom “Ice Man” Kazansky.
Read more: Val Kilmer: Fans pay tribute to hidden iconic role
Following Kilmer’s death at aged 65, an old video clip has resurfaced of Cruise recalling the final time the two shared a scene together in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick.
According to the Mission: Impossible actor, it was quite an emotional moment.
“I just want to say that was pretty emotional,” said cruise, talking to late nite host Jimmy Kimmel in 2023. “I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.
Read more: Val Kilmer: Stars pay tribute to the late actor
“I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional,” he continued. “He’s such a brilliant actor, I love his work.”
Val Kilmer cause of death: What happened to the star?
Kilmer passed away from pneumonia aged 65. The news was confirmed to the BBC by his daughter Mercedes on Tuesday 2 April 2025.
Previously, Kilmer had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. While he eventually overcome this illness, tracheotomy surgery left the star without the use of his voice which ultimately impacted his acting opportunities. Despite these obstacles, Kilmer did continue to have a presence on screen.
In 2021, he released the documentary Val about his career and personal life. In later years, he appeared in projects like the Kevin Smith-directed Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.
His final on-screen performance was alongside Cruise in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick where he reprised his role as Tom “Ice Man” Kazansky.
Fans and colleagues pay tribute
Since news of Kilmer’s passing was made official, fans and colleauges have paid tribute to the star.
Michael Mann, the filmmaker who directed Kilmer in 1995’s Heat said “While working with Val on Heat I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character.
“After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.”
Meanwhile, Josh Brolin, shared a picture of himself with Kilmer alongside the caption:”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.”
