Val Kilmer's family and friends are looking back at the actor with love and pride after his death.
From Tom Cruise in Cinemacon to the son and daughter of Kilmer, Jack and Mercedes, the feeling was the same.
“We are very proud of him and honored to see his legacy held,” the family said Thursday in a statement obtained by people.
They asked to be allowed to cry privately.
But Cruise put his pain and invited others to join him on Thursday during an appearance in Cinemacon, the conference of film owners held annually in Las Vegas.
Before the exhibitors are excited about the “mission: impossible: the final calculation” of Paramount, which will come out next month in the United States, the film star spoke about Kilmer, his “dear friend” and the occasional co -star.
“I can't tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honest was when he joined 'Top Gun' and later returned for 'Top Gun: Maverick,” said Cruise, for a variety. “I think it would be really good if we could have a moment together because they loved the movies and gave us all of us.”
He asked those present to think of the good times with Kilmer for a moment of silence.
Kilmer was 65 when he died on Tuesday after what his daughter Mercedes told New York Times was a pneumonia attack. He had previously fought against throat cancer, which took most of his voice.
The “The Doors” star told The Times by email in 2022 that he and Cruise were in contact and exchanged Christmas gifts every year.
“Tom and I get along very well. We laugh as young children in school among Tomas. I consider it a true friend. We share intimate stories and challenges about our different lifestyles!” He wrote.
Regarding working together in “Top Gun: Maverick,” said Kilmer, “we talked a lot about what was better for history and I think they did well in the end.”
The film director seemed to agree.
“You have two teachers at the top of their game playing the most iconic characters of their races. I think there is a lot of rebel in Tom, and Iceman in Val, so what you are seeing on the screen is an authentic friendship that has lasted more than 36 years,” Joseph Kosinski said to The Times.
“After one of the shots (we only made a few), I noticed that both Tom and Val had tears in his eyes. He felt like a genuine moment between two old friends.”
Kilmer seemed really impressed by the reaction to the film and his brief role in it.
“I can't believe how kind the whole world has been. I receive hundreds of letters of fans every week. It is very humiliating,” he said, he added that it was “so great” and “feeling stronger every day.” He dreamed of playing Frankenstein, with Werner Herzog directing, he said.
In the end, “Top Gun: Maverick” was the final film of Kilmer.
Former staff writer Michael Ordoño contributed to this publication.
