Tom Cruise Had an ‘Emotional’ Reunion with Val Kilmer in Top Gun 2 Before His Death: ‘He’s Such a Brilliant Actor’

Cruise and Kilmer played Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite of Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the 1986 film ‘Top Gun’

Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise forged a special bond during Top Gun that would last decades.

Kilmer died of pneumonia at the age of 65 on Tuesday, April 1, and though he may not have initially wanted to take on the role of Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the hit 1986 film, it is still one of his most memorable roles and one that left a lasting impression on his Top Gun costar.

In the wake of Kilmer’s death, Cruise’s 2023 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live is getting renewed attention.

During his appearance on the late-night talk show, Cruise, now 62, recalled the “emotional” moment of seeing Kilmer on the set of 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick following his throat cancer diagnosis in 2014 and subsequent recovery. “I just want to say that was pretty emotional,” he shared at the time.

Cruise added, “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.”