Tom Cruise speaks on death of Val Kilmer: 'I can't tell you how much I admire his work'
Share and Follow

LAS VEGAS (KTLA) — Tom Cruise has broken his silence on the death of his “Top Gun” and “Top Gun: Maverick” costar Val Kilmer.

While at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the movie star asked the crowd to “take a moment” to join him in a moment of silence to honor his “dear friend.” Cruise surprised the crowd of movie theater owners with this appearance to further promote his upcoming film “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.”

“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.’ 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,” Cruise explained according to Deadline.

Tom Cruise, star of the upcoming film “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” leads a moment of silence for late actor Val Kilmer during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon at Caesars Palace on April 3, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

“I wish you well on the next journey,” he concluded.

In the 1986 hit, Kilmer played Lt. Tom “Ice Man” Kazansky to Cruise’s fighter pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.

The pair reunited for the movie’s 2022 sequel, which Cruise called “emotional.”

Val Kilmer for a portrait, Jan. 9, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

“I just want to say that was pretty emotional,” he told Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night talk show 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.”

“I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional,” he said. “He’s such a brilliant actor, I love his work.”

Kilmer passed away on Tuesday of pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes revealed. He was 65 years old.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Donald Trump Set to Make History as First Sitting President at NFL Game Since 1978

LANDOVER, Md. – On Sunday, heightened security was evident hours before the…

Empowering Event ‘God Can Use Anybody’ Arrives at McCormick

MCCORMICK, S.C. — Next month, McCormick will host an inspiring new stage…

Illinois’ Most Stolen Cars 2023: Top 10 Vehicles Targeted by Thieves

ILLINOIS – Car thefts have surged across Illinois, with over 13,000 vehicles…

TreVeyon Henderson and Drake Maye Propel Patriots to Triumph Over Buccaneers, Clinching a 28-23 Win

In a thrilling matchup in Tampa, Florida, TreVeyon Henderson’s explosive runs and…

Power Outage Forces Clinton Schools to Cancel Monday Classes

CLINTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Students in Clinton will enjoy an unexpected day…

Massive Disruption: Over 2,100 US Flights Canceled Amid Ongoing Airline Staff Cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Sunday, over 2,100 U.S. flights were grounded, primarily…

Discover the Impact: Champaign’s Inspiring Field of Flags Initiative

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In anticipation of Veteran’s Day, students from a…

BBC Executives Step Down Amid Controversy Over Edited Trump Speech Handling

LONDON – In a surprising turn of events, two leading figures at…