**Tom Cruise Honors Val Kilmer in Touching Tribute at CinemaCon**

**In a poignant tribute at CinemaCon, Tom Cruise remembers Val Kilmer, who recently passed away, reflecting on their bond and Kilmer's contributions to cinema.**

Tom Cruise emotionally honored his late Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer during a recent appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, following Kilmer's death at the age of 65. In a gathering filled with industry professionals, Cruise led an audience at The Colosseum theatre in honoring the actor he regarded as a "dear friend."

Reflecting on Kilmer's remarkable talent and humanity, Cruise stated, "I can't tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being." He expressed gratitude for Kilmer's contribution to their classic film, especially recalling his role as the rival Ice Man in the original Top Gun from 1986. Kilmer's portrayal remains iconic, and he also notably played memorable roles as Batman and the legendary Jim Morrison in The Doors.

Cruise's tribute came during Paramount Pictures’ presentation where he highlighted a sneak peek trailer of his upcoming film, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, slated for release later this year. After leading the moment of silence, Cruise stated, "Thank you, Val - wish you well on your next journey," before proceeding to showcase exhilarating action-packed scenes from the trailer.

Hollywood has been mourning Kilmer this week, with many stars paying homage to the talented actor. Cruise has been particularly vocal about his connection to Kilmer, revealing to Jimmy Kimmel Live! that emotions ran high when Kilmer was on set for the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick. "I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional," said Cruise, emphasizing Kilmer's brilliance and the impact of their collaboration.

Reports reveal Kilmer succumbed to complications from pneumonia after battling throat cancer, which led to two tracheotomies that left him unable to speak without a voice box. In his final film role, he communicated through a text screen, poignantly reminding audiences of his indelible presence in cinema. In their memorable scene, Kilmer's Iceman proclaims, “The Navy needs Maverick,” leading to a heartfelt embrace that signifies their enduring friendship amidst their characters' rivalry.