The legendary Hollywood star Val Kilmer of Top Gun and Tombstone fame has passed away from pneumonia at the age of 65.
As we’ve been remembering his amazing work, a clip has resurfaced from two years ago in which his fellow Hollywood icon Tom Cruise, 62, admitted to becoming “emotional” when he reunited with Kilmer on the set of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.
Cruise’s ‘Emotional’ Reunion With Kilmer
“I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades,” Cruise began while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in February of 2023. “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.”
Kilmer had played Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the original Top Gun back in 1986. Fans were unsure if Kilmer would return for the Top Gun sequel, given his many years of health struggles. Indeed, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. He then had to undergo two tracheotomies and lost the normal use of his voice.
Despite this, Kilmer still managed to return for Top Gun: Maverick. That’s why Cruise couldn’t help but burst into tears when his old friend came on to reprise his role.
“I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional,” Cruise told Kimmel of filming with Kilmer. “He’s such a brilliant actor, I love his work.”
Watch Cruise talk more about this in the video below.
Related: Val Kilmer Talks Emotional Return In ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
Cruise Gushes Over Kilmer
At the premiere for Top Gun: Maverick in May of 2022, Cruise told Entertainment Tonight that he “rallied hard” for Kilmer to be in the movie.
“The kind of talent that he has, and you see that scene, it’s very special,” Cruise gushed of Kilmer. “It’s just very special.”
One month later, Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski told the Los Angeles Times that the scene that Kilmer and Cruise shared in the sequel was crucial to the film.
“You’ve got two masters at the top of their game playing the most iconic characters of their careers,” explained Kosinski, 50. “I think there is a lot of Maverick in Tom, and Iceman in Val, so what you are seeing on-screen is an authentic friendship that has lasted over 36 years.”
“After one of the takes (we only did a few) I noticed that both Tom and Val had tears in their eyes,” he continued. “It felt like a genuine moment between two old friends.”
Check out their emotional Top Gun: Maverick scene in the video below.
Related: After Losing His Voice To Cancer – Val Kilmer Speaks Again For Top Gun: Maverick
Kilmer And Cruise Had Fun On Set
Kosinski went on to say that Kilmer and Cruise had a blast on the film’s set.
“When we weren’t shooting, they were sharing funny stories with [producer] Jerry [Bruckheimer] about making the original film,” he recalled. “[I] think at the time they were a bit competitive with each other, but now it’s something they can just laugh about.”
As for Kilmer, he made it clear that he thoroughly enjoyed getting to play Iceman again.
“Tom and I get along really well,” Kilmer said in 2022. “We giggled like little kids in school between takes. I consider him a real friend. We shared intimate stories and challenges about our different lifestyles!!”
Kilmer was a true legend, and there will never be another one like him. Please join us in saying a prayer for Cruise and for Kilmer’s other loved ones during this tragic time.
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