Tom Cruise honors Val Kilmer with a moment of silence at CinemaCon 2025, also speaking about the life and work of his friend following his death. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Kilmer died at age 65, having suffered from complications due to pneumonia. The actor, best known for his roles like Doc Holliday in Tombstone and Chris Shiherlis in Heat, had been battling throat cancer since 2015. His final appearance onscreen was in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, where he returned as Iceman, having a brief yet inspiring conversation with Cruise’s Maverick.
ScreenRant was in attendance at CinemaCon 2025, where Cruise offered a moment of silence for Kilmer during Paramount’s presentation. He later spoke about him and the work they’d done together in the Top Gun franchise, praising him for both his career and for being a friend. The moment not only paid homage to the work they’d done together in both movies, but also their time as friends in Hollywood. Check out what Cruise had to say below:
I’d like to take a moment before we move on. I’d like to honor my dear friend Val Kilmer. I really can’t tell you how much I admire his work, how much I thought of him as a human being, and how honored I was when he joined Top Gun and returned for Top Gun Maverick.
What Cruise’s Words Say About Kilmer’s Decorated Career
Honoring The Actor’s Legacy
Kilmer’s action movies are one of the staples of his career, with the Top Gun duology being just two of the memorable movies he contributed his skills to. Others include portraying Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever, Doc Holliday in Tombstone, and Madmartigan in the fantasy movie Willow. However, he’s also leaned into movies of various genres across his career, such as portraying Jim Morrison in the biopic The Doors, and winning a Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role as Perry van Shrike in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
The moment of silence Cruise gave him during the presentation emphasizes how strong their connection together was, even after Kilmer only had a major role to play in the first Top Gun movie. It’s a legacy that could continue to be honored in the upcoming Top Gun 3, something to remember Iceman by after his death during the second installment. Given his statement about the actor, it’s clear he’s going to be remembered across Hollywood for all his impressive roles, recognized even in death, and long after he’s gone.
Our Take On Cruise’s Moment Of Silence For Val Kilmer
A Memorable & Important Moment For The Presentation
Cruise’s tribute to his fellow actor emphasizes how much Hollywood will miss Kilmer, given his impressive contributions throughout his decades-long career. Having brought so many memorable characters, like Iceman, to life, losing him hits hard for everyone who was his friend in the industry. No clearer is that than through Cruise’s heartfelt tribute, emphasizing their friendship and the importance of the time they shared onscreen together.
Source: CinemaCon
