“Tom Cruise Honors Val Kilmer with Silent Tribute: ‘Wishing You Well, Dear Friend, on Your Journey'”

• Tom Cruise requested CinemaCon 2025 guests in Las Vegas to join in a silent tribute honoring Val Kilmer, who passed away at 65 on April 1.
• “His artistry and integrity left an indelible mark on me,” Cruise remarked about his _Top Gun_ collaborator during the memorial.
• Kilmer succumbed to pneumonia complications on April 1

Tom Cruise has paid heartfelt homage to his departed colleague Val Kilmer.

The 62-year-old actor attended CinemaCon 2025 in Nevada on April 3 to showcase footage from _Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning_. Before delving into previews, he initiated a commemorative pause for Kilmer, his fellow _Top Gun_ alumnus who died two days prior.

“Before we begin, let’s collectively honor my cherished friend Val Kilmer,” Cruise stated, greeted by supportive applause. “His cinematic contributions and personal brilliance meant the world to me. Having him participate in both _Top Gun_ and its sequel remains a privilege. Let’s take a unified moment to reflect on his legacy and the joy he brought through his craft.”

“Thank you, Val,” Cruise concluded post-tribute. “May your new path be peaceful. This gesture would have touched him deeply.”

Kilmer’s demise resulted from pneumonia, as confirmed by daughter Mercedes Kilmer to _The New York Times_. The actor had previously overcome a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis.

Cruise and Kilmer first shared screens in 1986’s _Top Gun_, portraying rival aviators Tom “Maverick” Mitchell and Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. Their characters reunited in 2022’s _Top Gun: Maverick_, marking Kilmer’s final cinematic appearance. Series producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealed Cruise insisted on Kilmer’s inclusion, telling PEOPLE: “Tom championed Val’s participation – his return was non-negotiable.”

Bruckheimer emphasized: “Cruise advocated passionately – ‘Val must return.’ Without him, another _Top Gun_ wouldn’t have materialized.”

During a 2023 _Jimmy Kimmel Live!_ appearance, Cruise described filming emotional reunion scenes: “The experience overwhelmed me – tears flowed freely during takes.”

The actors maintained their friendship through decades. For Cruise’s 60th birthday celebration, Kilmer posted social media greetings referencing their iconic roles: “Happy Birthday Mav @TomCruise from Ice!” 

Kilmer previously told PEOPLE about reuniting with Cruise: “It mirrored reconnecting with a dear companion after years apart.” He cherished their original collaboration: “Working with Tom brought immense satisfaction – our behind-the-scenes camaraderie is thoroughly documented!”

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