Val Kilmer’s Playful Pranks on Tom Cruise During Top Gun Filming

When Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise teamed up for the original Top Gun, their on-screen rivalry as Iceman and Maverick spilled over into real life in the most unexpected ways. Kilmer, always quick with a joke, found creative ways to keep the competitive spirit alive even when the cameras weren’t rolling. He once shared that he would give Cruise children’s books about flying, poking fun at his co-star’s piloting skills in a lighthearted way. Kilmer explained,

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.

Their playful banter helped fuel the tension that made their characters’ rivalry so memorable on screen.

Behind-the-Scenes Antics and Lasting Bonds

As filming continued, the cast found themselves divided into two distinct groups, a dynamic Kilmer admitted was partly his doing as he leaned into the Iceman persona. In his 2021 documentary, he revealed that he invented a detailed backstory for his character, imagining a father who ignored him and a drive for perfection that led to Iceman’s arrogance. Kilmer said,

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.

Despite the on-set rivalry, Kilmer emphasized that he and Cruise always maintained a strong friendship, supporting each other throughout their careers.

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.

Challenges and Camaraderie Off Camera

While the cast enjoyed downtime together, Cruise’s packed schedule often kept him away from group activities. Kilmer once mentioned feeling a bit sorry for Cruise, who was constantly busy filming scenes and rarely had the chance to relax with the rest of the team.

I actually felt a little sorry for him… But Tom was always in some scene and never got to play with us…

Even so, the bond between the two actors remained strong, lasting well beyond the original film.

Tributes and Legacy

After reprising his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, Kilmer’s connection with Cruise was as strong as ever. When Kilmer passed away in April 2025, Cruise paid an emotional tribute at CinemaCon, reflecting on their years of collaboration and friendship.

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.

Cruise closed his heartfelt message by wishing Kilmer well on his next journey, a touching farewell to a friend and colleague whose impact on the franchise —and on Cruise himself—was undeniable.