Tom Cruise recently honored his late Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer at CinemaCon, following Kilmer’s tragic death on Tuesday. The actor, who passed away at the age of 65 from pneumonia, was remembered by Cruise during his appearance at the event in Las Vegas, where he introduced new footage from his upcoming film, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Cruise took a moment before the footage to pay tribute to Kilmer, who portrayed the iconic character Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the original Top Gun (1986) and returned to the role in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). “I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer for a moment,” Cruise said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I can’t tell you how much I admired his work.”

Kilmer’s final performance alongside Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick marked an emotional reunion between the two actors, who had not shared the screen together for nearly three decades. Despite facing physical challenges from a tracheostomy that affected his ability to speak, Kilmer still delivered a powerful performance. “It was like no time had passed at all,” Kilmer shared with Entertainment Weekly. “We blew a lot of takes laughing so much. It was really fun… special.”

Cruise, visibly emotional, asked the audience at CinemaCon to take a moment of silence in honor of Kilmer. “If we just all take a moment to remember the wonderful time we had with him—let’s just take a moment,” Cruise said before adding, “I wish you well on your next journey.”

Kilmer’s death came after a long and storied career in Hollywood. He starred in numerous iconic films, including Batman Forever, Tombstone, and The Doors. However, his legacy will always be tied to his portrayal of Iceman in Top Gun. Kilmer’s health had been a concern in recent years, as he had been battling throat cancer, which left him with significant vocal difficulties. “I can’t speak without plugging this hole [in his throat]. You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat,” Kilmer explained in 2021.

Despite his health struggles, Kilmer’s impact on Hollywood and fans was undeniable. Tom Cruise’s heartfelt tribute at CinemaCon showed just how much Kilmer meant to his co-stars and to the world of cinema. The loss of Val Kilmer is deeply felt by all who knew him, both in the industry and among his fans.