Hollywood star Tom Cruise recently reflected on his last emotional reunion with his Top Gun co-star, Val Kilmer, in a resurfaced interview that has gained renewed attention following Kilmer’s passing.
The 62-year-old actor starred alongside Kilmer in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which marked Kilmer’s return to the franchise after his battle with cancer and recovery.
In a 2023 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cruise shared his deeply emotional reaction to seeing Kilmer reprise his iconic role. “I just want to say that was pretty emotional,” he admitted.
Kilmer, best known for playing Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the original Top Gun, passed away from pneumonia on April 1st at the age of 65.
Cruise, recalling their time together on set, spoke highly of Kilmer’s talent and presence. “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,” he said.
The Mission: Impossible star also shared how deeply the moment impacted him. “I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional. He’s such a brilliant actor, I love his work,” he revealed.
Following the film’s release in 2022, Cruise had previously praised Kilmer’s performance and their enduring friendship in an interview with People magazine.
“I’ve always admired his work, his talent,” Cruise said at the time. “We get together… we just start laughing. It was special to have him back. It meant a lot to me.”
Kilmer’s passing marks a great loss for Hollywood, but his legacy as an iconic actor and his unforgettable performances in Top Gun will continue to be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
