Las Vegas, Nevada – Tom Cruise, known for his iconic role in the “Top Gun” franchise, took a moment to honor his late co-star, Val Kilmer, during his appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Cruise, attending the convention to promote the upcoming film “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” paused to pay tribute to Kilmer, who passed away at the age of 65.

Expressing admiration for Kilmer’s work and the contributions he made to the film industry, Cruise reflected on their time working together on “Top Gun” and its sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” The two actors first met on the set of the original “Top Gun” in 1986, where they portrayed rival fighter pilots who ultimately became friends. The film’s success catapulted both Cruise and Kilmer into stardom.

Despite facing health challenges, Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in “Top Gun: Maverick,” delivering a poignant performance alongside Cruise. The emotional reunion between Maverick and Iceman in the film resonated with audiences and contributed to the sequel’s massive success, earning it six Oscar nominations and over $1.4 billion worldwide.

Reflecting on their shared history and the impact of working with Kilmer, Cruise highlighted the emotional nature of filming the reunion scenes. He praised Kilmer’s talent as an actor, noting his ability to embody the character of Iceman with authenticity and power.

As the legacy of the “Top Gun” franchise continues with a third installment in the works, Cruise’s tribute to Kilmer serves as a poignant reminder of the bond shared between the two actors and the enduring impact of their collaboration on the silver screen. At CinemaCon, amidst the excitement of promoting his latest project, Cruise took a moment to honor Kilmer, a gesture that resonated with fans and colleagues alike.