Val Kilmer’s Cheeky Pranks on Tom Cruise During Top Gun

When Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise teamed up for Top Gun, their characters’ rivalry didn’t just stay on the screen. Kilmer, always quick with a joke, made sure to keep the competitive spirit alive off-camera as well. He’s mentioned in several interviews that the tension between Maverick and Iceman sometimes felt a bit too real, and one particular story from the set really highlights the playful banter between the two.

Taking the Mickey on Set

During filming, Kilmer decided to have a bit of fun at Cruise’s expense. He once gave Cruise a children’s book about flying, complete with big, bold letters, as a tongue-in-cheek gift. Kilmer explained that he wanted to wind Cruise up, just as Iceman would needle Maverick in the film.

I’d get him kids’ books on how to fly, like big large print in the Smithsonian. ‘How To Fly A Plane.’ Like things to torture him like the character would do —we had a great time.

The two actors ended up building a solid rapport, and their characters’ relationship evolved in the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, where Iceman becomes a trusted confidant for Maverick.

Behind-the-Scenes Camaraderie

In his 2021 documentary, Val, Kilmer opened up about the atmosphere on set. He admitted to creating a detailed backstory for Iceman, imagining a father who ignored him, which drove his character’s perfectionism and arrogance.

I manifested a backstory for him, where he had a father who ignored him, and as a result, I was driven by a need to be perfect in every way. This obsession with perfection is what made him so arrogant.

Kilmer also noted that the cast split into two groups, mirroring the film’s rivalry, but insisted it was all in good fun.

It was fun to play up the conflict between our characters, but in reality, I’ve always thought of Tom as a friend, and we’ve always supported each other.

He later shared that Cruise was often too busy filming to join the rest of the cast for downtime, saying, “I actually felt a little sorry for him… But Tom was always in some scene and never got to play with us…” Despite this, their friendship remained strong long after the cameras stopped rolling.

Tribute and Legacy

Val Kilmer passed away in April 2025 from pneumonia. At CinemaCon that year, Cruise paid a heartfelt tribute to his mate, reflecting on their time together and the impact Kilmer had on the industry.

I’d like to honour a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer. I can’t tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honoured 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 films and he gave a lot to all of us. Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him.

Cruise wrapped up his tribute with, “I wish you well on the next journey.” In the 2022 sequel, Kilmer’s character also faces a terminal illness, mirroring real life in a poignant way.

Both Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick are currently streaming on Paramount+.