Tom Cruise pays tribute to Top Gun co-star and 'dear friend' Val Kilmer after death aged 65

Top Gun star Tom Cruise paid tribute to his co-star Val Kilmer after the actor died aged 65

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Tom Cruise paid tribute to his 'dear friend' and Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer. Top Gun legend Val died at the age of 65. The sad news was shared by Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes who told the New York Times the actor had died from pneumonia. The Mission Impossible star took to the stage at the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas for CinemaCon to pay tribute to his friend. He said per Variety: "I'd like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer.

"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."

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Tom also dedicated a moment of silence to Val at the convention.

Today, Val Kilmer's family released an emotional statement as they paid tribute to the late Hollywood star. Val's two kids Mercedes and Jack wrote: "We are so proud of him and honoured to see his legacy celebrated. At this time, we would like to grieve privately."

Actor Josh Brolin also paid tribute to Kilmer. In a message posted online yesterday, he wrote: "See ya, pal. I'm going to miss you.

"You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There's not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts."

"RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon," actor Josh Gad shared. The official Top Gun movie account also paid tribute to Val - who played Iceman in the movie franchise: "Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman."

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Val - who was famed for playing fan-favourite Iceman in Top Gun - died on April 1 , in a Los Angeles hospital. The star had a decade-long battle with throat cancer before overcoming the illness in 2016.

Yesterday it was revealed that Val was bed bound for several years before his death.

After rounds of chemotherapy and finally beating cancer, Val's body had given up, a source close to his family told TMZ. They told the publication that the actor succumbed to a "lack of energy related to his cancer treatment".

They added that "while he was cancer free", the actor's body "couldn't keep fighting and shut down".

They continued by saying that the star was "very frail" and that his health "suddenly declined in the past week". Val was rushed to hospital and was surrounded by friends and family before his body shut down.

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