Hollywood star Tom Cruise made an unexpected appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to honor his longtime friend and co-star Val Kilmer.
According to NewsNation, Cruise led movie theater owners in a moment of silence for Kilmer, who passed away on Tuesday at age 65 due to pneumonia, while promoting his upcoming film "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning."
The emotional tribute took place during the Paramount Pictures presentation at Caesars Palace, where Cruise spoke about his deep admiration for Kilmer's work and their shared history in the "Top Gun" franchise. Kilmer's daughter Mercedes confirmed her father's death, marking the end of a remarkable career spanning four decades in Hollywood.
The two actors first shared the screen in the 1986 blockbuster "Top Gun," where Kilmer portrayed Lt. Tom "Ice Man" Kazansky opposite Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. Their on-screen rivalry became one of the most memorable aspects of the film, leading to their eventual reunion in the 2022 sequel "Top Gun: Maverick."
During the CinemaCon appearance, Cruise expressed his gratitude for having worked alongside Kilmer in both films. The actor emphasized how Kilmer's return to the role in the sequel held special significance for both of them.
Cruise shared these heartfelt words with the audience:
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.
The 2022 sequel brought an especially poignant moment for both actors, as Kilmer had been battling throat cancer in recent years. During a 2023 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's show, Cruise openly discussed the emotional weight of filming with Kilmer again.
In that interview, Cruise revealed how moved he was by Kilmer's presence on set. The experience left such an impression that Cruise admitted to crying during their scenes together, highlighting the deep respect he held for Kilmer's talent.
Cruise reflected on the reunion with visible emotion:
I just want to say that was pretty emotional. 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. I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional. He's such a brilliant actor, I love his work.
The CinemaCon tribute provided Cruise with a platform to bid farewell to his friend and colleague. His concluding words, "I wish you well on the next journey," carried particular resonance given their shared history.
The timing of Cruise's appearance, while initially planned to promote his upcoming Mission Impossible film, took on new meaning as it transformed into a celebration of Kilmer's life and career.
The spontaneous moment of silence united industry professionals in remembering one of Hollywood's most distinctive actors.
Tom Cruise's surprise appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas became a touching tribute to his "Top Gun" co-star Val Kilmer, who died at age 65 from pneumonia. What began as a promotional event for "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning" evolved into a meaningful commemoration of their decades-long friendship and professional collaboration, which included their iconic roles in both the original "Top Gun" and its 2022 sequel "Top Gun: Maverick." The emotional tribute highlighted the lasting impact of their on-screen partnership and the deep respect between these two Hollywood legends.
