Val Kilmer’s lost voice in Top Gun: Maverick scenes with Tom Cruise brought to emotional tears

Val Kilmer’s final ever film role left tears in fans’ eyes as he returned to screens as Lieutenant Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in the Top Gun sequel.

The Hollywood star died at the age of 65 on Tuesday after a long health battle, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed.

Following the sad news of his death, his poignant final film appearance in Top Gun: Maverick alongside Tom Cruise has reemerged online.

Known for his portrayal as Iceman in the popular Top Gun movie from 1986, actor Tom, aged 62, worked hard to ensure that his co-star Val Kilmer could reprise his role as the on-screen rival.

After undergoing a tracheotomy in 2014 due to throat cancer, Kilmer experienced damage to his vocal cords. However, advanced AI technology was utilized to recreate his voice for the 2022 blockbuster.

Viewers were moved to tears as they witnessed Iceman, now promoted to Admiral, reunite on screen with Tom Cruise’s character, Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell.

Iceman communicated with Maverick via typed words on a screen and AI technology was used to regenerate Kilmer’s voice so some of his words could be heard out loud.

After their emotional on-screen conversation, where Iceman advised Maverick to ‘let go’ of the past and move on, scenes saw Maverick attending his friend’s funeral.

Viewers were reduced to tears at the emotional scenes at the time and fans have been re-watching the poignant moment after the news of Kilmer’s death.

Comments included: ‘This Scene hits 10 times harder now… RIP Val’; ‘Time to watch Maverick again. There couldn’t have been a better sendoff. RIP Val Kilmer’;

‘What a fitting send off for Val Kilmer, thank you for giving us Iceman. Rest in peace’; ‘Rest in Peace Mr. Kilmer, a great actor and a beautiful final film performance’;

‘This is how you show respect and honor for legacy characters and their relationships. Beautiful scene’; ‘We love you Iceman. Fly high in paradise. RIP Val.’

The scene was equally as moving for Kilmer and Cruise as the American actor previously revealed there wasn’t a dry eye in the house during filming.

Kilmer described his return to the franchise after 36 years as ‘very personal and moving’ as he lauded his friendship with Cruise.

He shared: ‘Tom and I get along really well. We giggled like little kids in school between takes. 

‘I consider him a real friend. We shared intimate stories and challenges about our different lifestyles!’

Director Joseph Kosinski also told how both of the actors had tears in their eyes while shooting the touching scene.

‘After one of the takes (we only did a few) I noticed that both Tom and Val had tears in their eyes. It felt like a genuine moment between two old friends,’ he shared.

London-based firm AI company Sonantic recreated Kilmer’s voice in a lifelike yet artificial mock-up, which he was able to use to help him communicate in everyday life. 

Praising the results, Kilmer shared: ‘I’m grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who masterfully restored my voice in a way I’ve never imagined possible.

‘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.’ 

Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including an emergency tracheotomy, which significantly impacted his ability to speak.

A tracheostomy is a procedure which creates an artificial hole in the neck to help breathing.

In 2020, Kilmer revealed that he had been cancer-free for four years.

While he stopped attending red carpet events in 2019, Kilmer kept up with fans over the years by sharing his artwork and rare selfies to his Instagram.

Less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025.

He uploaded footage of himself hanging out in a padded room with artist/musician David Choe, which was originally filmed in 2021.

In the clip, Kilmer spoke briefly before trying on a custom Batman mask made for him by Choe, quipping that it had ‘been a while’ since he’d relived his Batman glory days.

Kilmer’s final Instagram post was published on March 22, featuring a photo of one of his original paintings, which he’d signed and posted on his website for sale.

‘It’s got that late-night glow,’ he wrote of the artwork. ‘Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you’re still wide awake.’

The Hollywood legend died from pneumonia at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long health battle.

He is survived by his daughter Mercedes, 33, and a son Jack, 29, who he shared his his ex-wife Joanne Whalley. He was married to Joanne from 1988 until 1996. 

Kilmer was one of Hollywood’s most prominent leading men in the 1990s before numerous spats with directors and co-stars and a series of flops dented his career.

‘When certain people criticize me for being demanding, I think that’s a cover for something they didn’t do well. I think they’re trying to protect themselves,’ Kilmer told the Orange County Register newspaper in 2003.

‘I believe I’m challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.’

He made his film debut starring in the spy spoof Top Secret! (1984) before appearing in the goofy comedy Real Genius (1985). 

He then rocketed to stardom as Tom Cruise’s co-star in the smash 1986 hit Top Gun and was also famed for playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in 1995’s Batman Forever.