Tom Cruise has paid heartfelt tribute to his close friend and co-star Val Kilmer, following his sudden death at the age of 65 earlier this week. Cruise, now 62, famously played Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell alongside Kilmer’s Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, and the duo reunited on screen in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick.

Speaking at CinemaCon 2025, held at the Roman Coliseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Cruise took a moment to honor his late friend. According to Variety, Cruise addressed the crowd, saying, “I want to honor my dear friend, Val Kilmer. I can’t express enough how much I admire his work, my gratitude, and the honor of having him be part of Top Gun and then return to Top Gun: Maverick.”

He continued, “It would be wonderful if we could all have a moment together because he loved movies, and he gave so much of himself to all of us. Think about all the great times we had with him. I wish him all the best on his next journey.”

The words struck a chord with those in attendance, as Kilmer’s passing marked the end of a remarkable career in Hollywood, which spanned several decades. Kilmer’s most famous roles in the 1980s and 1990s, including his portrayal of Batman in Batman Forever and his iconic turn as Jim Morrison in The Doors, cemented his place in cinema history. However, his personal and health struggles were no secret.

Kilmer had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 and had spent much of his later years away from the public eye, battling numerous health complications. According to sources, the actor passed away from complications related to pneumonia, following a prolonged battle with his health issues.

Kilmer’s family has confirmed the news of his passing. His daughter, Mercedes, shared the heartbreaking announcement on social media, marking the end of an era for the actor and his legacy.

This news came just one day after another Hollywood star, Michelle Pfeiffer, expressed her grief over Kilmer’s death. Pfeiffer, 66, took to social media on Wednesday, sharing a sweet tribute to the actor. She posted a black-and-white photo of herself and Kilmer from the 1985 ABC Afterschool Special One Too Many. Along with the image, she wrote: “Rest in peace, Val.”

Pfeiffer and Kilmer first met while filming the special, which addressed the dangers of underage drinking, and their friendship blossomed into a close bond that lasted for decades. In his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, Kilmer spoke openly about his relationship with Pfeiffer, describing the emotional connection they shared. “The quiet pain Michelle and I shared created a closeness between us,” he wrote, revealing how they confided in each other about personal struggles—Kilmer about his strained relationship with his parents, and Pfeiffer about her difficulties in her marriage to actor Peter Horton, whom she later divorced.

Though Kilmer wrote fondly of Pfeiffer, he also admitted to harboring a long-standing affection for her sister, Lori Pfeiffer. In his memoir, he shared, “I was in love with her sister Lori, but she didn’t seem to reciprocate, not even a little. In fact, she didn’t seem to even know I existed.”

Kilmer’s death has undoubtedly left a deep impact on those who knew him, both personally and professionally. His work in Top Gun, Batman Forever, The Doors, and many other films made him an enduring figure in Hollywood. But beyond his acting, Kilmer’s personal life and struggles became part of his story, making his passing even more poignant for fans and friends alike.

For Tom Cruise, Kilmer wasn’t just a co-star but a close friend who shared a significant part of his life. Their iconic roles in Top Gun created a dynamic chemistry on screen, one that transcended the film and its impact on audiences worldwide. To this day, their on-screen camaraderie remains one of the defining elements of the movie’s legacy.

As Cruise and other stars from the Top Gun franchise remember Kilmer, the outpouring of love and admiration reflects not only the actor’s significant contributions to cinema but also the deep personal connections he forged with those around him. In a world where celebrities often remain distant from their fans, Kilmer’s ability to connect on a human level with his peers is what made him truly remarkable.

Kilmer’s passing marks the end of a remarkable journey, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to live on through his films, the friendships he cultivated, and the moments he shared with fans around the world. Tom Cruise’s tribute serves as a reminder of how important those relationships are, both on and off screen. As Hollywood says goodbye to one of its legends, the void left by Val Kilmer’s departure is one that will be deeply felt for years to come.