Val Kilmer’s Top Gun and Batman Co-Stars Pay Heartfelt Tribute

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Val Kilmer’s co-stars from ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman Forever’, including Tom Cruise, are remembering the late actor who passed away at the age of 65 on Tuesday. During a panel at Paramount’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Thursday, Tom Cruise, who played Maverick opposite Kilmer as his rival-turned-wingman Iceman in ‘Top Gun’ (1986), paid tribute to his co-star with a moment of silence. Speaking from the stage at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum, Cruise said, “I would like to take a moment to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer. I can’t express enough my admiration for his work, my thoughts for him as a person, and how honored I was when he joined us in ‘Top Gun’ and returned for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.

2022’s Top Gun: Maverick saw Tom Cruise reconnect with the retired Val Kilmer in what is believed to be his final film appearance. “Let’s take a moment to cherish the time we spent together,” Cruise expressed, placing his hand over his heart. After the brief pause, Cruise expressed warm wishes for Kilmer, saying, “I hope you have a wonderful journey ahead.

As the enigmatic Riddler from Batman Forever, played by none other than Jim Carrey, I felt compelled to express my heartfelt condolences following the unfortunate passing of Val Kilmer, my esteemed co-star and Dark Knight in that iconic film.

Today, I find myself reflecting deeply on Val Kilmer, a man whose artistry I hold in high esteem. A generational talent whose unforgettable acting performances have left us an envious legacy. His artistic accomplishments were second only to the dignity and bravery he displayed during life’s toughest trials. My heart goes out to his family during this time, sending them my deepest love.

Earlier this week, Mercedes Kilmer, the daughter of the late actor, revealed to The New York Times that her father, Michael Douglas Kilmer, passed away due to complications from pneumonia. Kilmer had been fighting throat cancer for quite some time, a struggle that served as the basis for his 2021 documentary titled Val. In this film, Kilmer took on the roles of writer, producer, and actor. The documentary, directed by Leo Scott and Ting Poo, was narrated by Jack Kilmer, Michael’s son who is also an actor.

In terms of box office earnings, the original “Top Gun” was Val Kilmer’s most successful film until the release of the sequel in 2022, which grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide. Apart from his brief stint as Batman in “Batman Forever,” Kilmer is best known for his performances as Madmartigan in “Willow,” Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” Chris Shiherlis in “Heat,” and Perry Van Shrike in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

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2025-04-03 22:09