Tom Cruise breaks silence on Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer’s death with emotional statement

Tom Cruise has paid a moving tribute to his Top Gun co-star and close friend Val Kilmer.

Kilmer's daughter Mercedes revealed to the New York Times that her father died from pneumonia on April 1 at the age of 65.

The late actor shared two children with his ex-wife Joanne Whalley: Mercedes, 33, and 29-year-old son Jack.

Tributes have been rolling in for Kilmer in the wake of the news of his untimely death, with the likes of Frozen star Josh Gad and Josh Brolin leading them.

Gad said: "RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon."

While Brolin said of Kilmer: "You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts."

Casino star James Woods added on Twitter: "His rendition of Doc Holliday in Tombstone was what every actor dreams of achieving. So many wonderful performances. Sad to lose him so soon. RIP Val Kilmer."

Now, Kilmer's longtime friend and Top Gun co-star Tom Cruise has paid tribute to the late 65-year-old.

As per Variety, during an appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, he asked the crowd for a moment of silence.

While on stage at Caesars Palace, Cruise said: "I'd like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer.

"I can't tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honored I was when he joined Top Gun and came back later for Top Gun: Maverick.

"I think it would be really nice if we could have a moment together because he loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us. Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him.

"I wish you well on the next journey."

Tom Cruise after asking the CinemaCon audience for a moment of silence for Val Kilmer (Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage)

Cruise and Kilmer remained friends after starring in the 1986 cult classic together, despite playing each other's on-screen nemesis.

Kilmer reprised his role of Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick - something which Cruise admitted was very emotional in light of Kilmer's health battles.

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Speaking to Jimmy Kimmel, Cruise said of their reunion for the 2022 film: "I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades.

"For him to come back and play that character... he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again. You’re looking at Iceman."

Cruise went on: "I was crying. I got emotional. He's such a brilliant actor, I love his work."

Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise both starred in 1986 classic Top Gun (Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

Cruise was part of the reason that Kilmer made a comeback as Iceman in the Top Gun sequel.

According to Jerry Bruckheimer, one of the film's producers, Cruise didn't want to do the follow up film without Kilmer.

"[Cruise] said, 'We have to have Val, we have to have him back. We have to have him in the film,'" he told People in 2021.

"He was the driving force. We all wanted him, but Tom was really adamant that if he's going to make another Top Gun, Val had to be in it."

Kilmer's return as Iceman went on to be his last acting role.