Tom Cruise pays emotional tribute to Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer following his death

Tom Cruise has shared a tribute to his beloved Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer following the news of his death earlier this week.

They famously appeared together in 1986's Top Gun, which was Cruise's breakout role as Lieutenant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, while Kilmer played rival pilot Lieutenant Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky.

The duo also reunited in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, as Kilmer reprised his role with the help of AI to recreate his voice, having lost it from a throat cancer procedure in 2014.

On Tuesday (1 April), Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes told the New York Times that her father died from pneumonia at the age of 65.

As reported by Variety, Cruise said he was 'grateful' to have shared the screen with Kilmer in the two Top Gun movies.

"I'd like to honour a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer," he said at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. "I can't tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honored I was when he joined Top Gun and came back later for Top Gun: Maverick.

"I think it would be really nice if we could have a moment together because he loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us. Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him.

"I wish you well on the next journey."

Kilmer's voice was recreated by AI for his emotional return in Top Gun: Maverick, which allowed his character Iceman to speak in the film.

British AI company Sonantic used hours of past recordings from his films and interviews and created a remarkably accurate digital replica.

The duo reunited in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount Pictures)

"I’m grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who masterfully restored my voice in a way I’ve never imagined possible," Kilmer said at the time.

"As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence and the effects from throat cancer have made it difficult for others to understand me.

"The chance to tell my story, in a voice that feels authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift."

Speaking of Kilmer's cameo in the action sequel, Cruise told Jimmy Kimmel in 2023: "I just want to say that was pretty emotional.

"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."

Kilmer was also known for playing Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman Forever in 1995, and rock star Jim Morrison in 1991 movie The Doors.