Tom Cruise took to the CinemaCon 2025 stage, first to pay his respects to the late Val Kilmer before giving attendees their first look at brand-new footage from Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
Speaking to an audience inside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Cruise called for a moment of silence for Kilmer, who died April 1, 2025, at age 65 due to complications of pneumonia following a long fight against throat cancer.
“I just would like to take a moment, prior to getting started today, and recognize a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise said. “I cannot tell you how much I admired his work and him as a human being.”
That moved the audience and the professionals, too. That reflected his legacy; what Kilmer gave to Hollywood will never be erased.
Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer starred in the 1986 box office smash Top Gun, marking the first screen pairing of the two. The respective characters Maverick and Iceman were bitter rivals. Their onscreen, in-character relationship began hostile and grew into one of mutual respect, which was a parallel to the relationship between the two actors off-screen.
The health issues did not stop him from making it back onto the silver screen for Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, in which, during that emotional scene at the end with Cruise, his voice was digitally recreated with AI.
Cruise spoke to the time that they were together and shared:
“I think it would be really nice if we could just have a moment all together, because he loved movies, and gave a lot to all of us.”
Through decades of work, Kilmer gave way to standout performances in Batman Forever, The Doors, and Heat. Arguably most critically acclaimed would be the role of Jim Morrison in the movie version of The Doors, which did much to reveal his commitment and nuance as an actor.
He never gave up telling stories, even after his health had deteriorated. The 2021 documentary entitled Val let the fans into the life and struggle of Kilmer and into his legacy.
It was during that period, filming Top Gun: Maverick, that it was Cruise himself who asked for Kilmer’s involvement with the sequel. It would later be revealed by producer Jerry Bruckheimer that: “Tom said, ‘We have to have Val, we have to have him back. If I’m making another Top Gun, Val has to be in it.'” It was an emotional moment for the fans, but to Cruise, it again reinforced how meaningful this bond means. It was the first big-screen comeback for Kilmer.
Cruise asked that the audience take a moment to consider Kilmer’s legacy as he gave his tribute: “Thanks, Val. I wish you well on your next journey. Thanks all for doing that; I know he appreciates it.”
His daughter Mercedes Kilmer said afterward that he died from complications of pneumonia after years fighting throat cancer, for which he was first diagnosed in 2014.
News of Kilmer’s death immediately saw an outpouring of tributes and condolences from actors and filmmakers alike. Ron Howard, who as a director cast Kilmer in Willow, described him as “a true artist who gave everything to his roles.” His Kiss Kiss Bang Bang co-star Robert Downey Jr. has said of Kilmer, “One of the most naturally gifted performers I’ve ever met.” Co-stars and directors alike could agree on one thing: Kilmer was a true original.
But despite that solemn tribute, Cruise was also in town for CinemaCon 2025 to tout his new movie, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning; he’s 62 and still ruling Hollywood through his commitment to doing his own stunts and high-octane action parts.
With Mission: Impossible still running strong and rumored to continue with projects in the future, Cruise is one of the biggest movie stars of all time. Yet despite a busy schedule, he made time to pay homage to a true friend.
Val Kilmer is one of those figures that leave a mark on Hollywood. From Iceman to Batman, his career was a succession of iconic moments, one after another.
His commitment, passion, and artistry will continue to inspire generations onwards. Cruise’s tribute spoke to friendships well and truly strong in Hollywood and how film really can transcend time. “Iceman and Maverick, they just went together.
Val Kilmer may be gone, but he will never truly be gone. His contribution to cinema, his dedication to the art, and the friends who will always remember him make him a legend.” A heartfelt tribute by Tom Cruise reminds us that true friendships indeed are forever.
The journey of Kilmer was packed with ups and downs, but he remained a fighter, an artist, and most importantly, a beloved friend. What is your favorite Val Kilmer moment? Let us know in the comments below.
- Solitary, Evaluations, Lockdown Inside Nick Reiner’s Life in Jail - January 9, 2026
- Trump Says Diddy Asked For A Pardon But It’s Not Happening - January 9, 2026
- The Duffer Brothers Say Stranger Things Is Over – But Not Forever - January 8, 2026
