Tom Cruise Breaks Silence on Val Kilmer’s Death—His Emotional Tribute Leaves Fans in Tears

After four decades of friendship, Hollywood legend Tom Cruise has spoken out about the heartbreaking loss of his longtime friend and Top Gun co-star, Val Kilmer. The two first met on the set of the original Top Gun in 1985 and remained close ever since—sharing a bond that extended far beyond the screen.

On Thursday, April 3, during an emotional appearance at CinemaCon 2025, Cruise took a pause before promoting his new film Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning to pay tribute to the man he called both a brilliant actor and a cherished friend.

“I’d like to take a moment before we get started today to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise began, addressing the packed theater. “I can’t tell you how much I admired his work and him as a human being, how grateful and honored I was that he joined Top Gun and came back for Top Gun: Maverick.”

Cruise then led the entire audience in a moment of silence, his voice filled with emotion.

“If we could just all take a moment and think about all the wonderful times that we had with him… because he loved movies, and he gave a lot to all of us with his performances and his films.”

After the silence, Cruise quietly added:

“Thank you, Val. I wish you well on your next journey.”

A Friendship That Transcended Hollywood

Val Kilmer passed away on Monday, April 1, at the age of 65, following a battle with pneumonia. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the news to The New York Times. Kilmer had been previously diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, a battle that left him with limited ability to speak and forced him to step back from the spotlight for many years.

Despite his health struggles, Kilmer made an unforgettable return in 2022 for Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his iconic role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky—a moment that brought both emotional weight and nostalgia to fans around the world.

In a 2023 interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Cruise opened up about what it was like to reunite with Kilmer on screen after more than three decades:

“That was pretty emotional,” Cruise said. “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.”

When asked if he cried during filming, Cruise admitted:

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

A Bond Built on More Than Movies

Though they played rivals in Top Gun, their real-life relationship was full of admiration and warmth. Kilmer once revealed in a documentary about his life that he didn’t even want to take the role of Iceman initially, calling the script “silly.” But his decision to accept the part led to a lifelong friendship with Cruise.

“I’ve always thought of Tom as a friend,” Kilmer said. The two stayed in touch over the years, reportedly exchanging Christmas gifts annually and checking in on each other through life’s milestones.

A Family’s Farewell

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Kilmer’s family wrote:

“We are so proud of him and honored to see his legacy celebrated. At this time, we would like to grieve privately. Thank you for honoring our extraordinary father’s memory.”

Kilmer is survived by his two children, Mercedes (33) and Jack (28).

As Cruise’s words echoed through the CinemaCon auditorium, there was no doubt: Val Kilmer’s presence—on screen and in the hearts of those who knew him—will never be forgotten. His performances were unforgettable, but his spirit, his humor, and his humanity were what truly set him apart.

Rest in peace, Val. You’ll always be flying high in our memories. ✈️💙