What happened to the Top Gun cast? From Hollywood megastardom to the quiet life
Top Gun was released in 1986 and the cast have taken very different paths since appearing in the classic action film
The recent death of Val Kilmer, who memorably portrayed Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in the 1986 hit Top Gun, has deeply saddened both Hollywood and aviation fans. His depiction of the headstrong pilot made him a standout character in the film - and his appearance in Top Gun: Maverick serves as a poignant homage to both the character and the actor himself.
It's almost surreal to think that nearly four decades have passed since the original film premiered. The cast members, who once embodied daring fighter pilots, stern instructors, and loyal partners, have embarked on diverse journeys since then.
From achieving superstar status to leading quiet lives away from the limelight, the actors' life trajectories are as varied as the characters they brought to life. In the wake of Val's passing, let's revisit the Top Gun cast, their current whereabouts, and how their careers and lives have evolved since the iconic film first debuted...
Tom Cruise as Lt Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell
Tom Cruise's portrayal of the fearless pilot Maverick marked the emergence of a Hollywood legend. Since then, Tom has carved out an impressive career, most notably with the long-running Mission: Impossible franchise. In May 2025, he is slated to return as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, the eighth instalment of the series.
Val Kilmer as Lt Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky
Val Kilmer played the role of Iceman, Maverick's rival pilot who eventually develops a reluctant respect for his fellow flyer. Val made a touching appearance in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, where his real-life battle with cancer was incorporated into the plot.
His career spanned a variety of roles, from Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991) to Gotham City's Dark Knight in Batman Forever (1995). In 2017, he disclosed that he had been treated for throat cancer. He died earlier this month at the age of 65.
Kelly McGillis as Charlotte 'Charlie' Blackwood
Kelly McGillis brought to life the character of Charlie, Maverick's civilian instructor and romantic interest. Post Top Gun, she featured in 1985's Witness, which earned her a BAFTA nomination, and 1988's The Accused.
In the 2000s, she took a step back from Hollywood, focusing on stage acting and teaching. She publicly came out as a lesbian in 2009.
She later worked in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and in 2016, she survived a violent home invasion, leading her to acquire a concealed carry permit. Today, she continues to teach acting in North Carolina.
Anthony Edwards as LTJG Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw
Anthony Edwards shattered hearts when Goose, Maverick's best friend and Radar Intercept Officer met a heartbreaking end. He went on to star as Dr Mark Greene on ER from 1994 to 2002, bagging a Golden Globe and receiving several Emmy nominations.
Off-screen, he's been a licensed pilot since 2012 and tied the knot with Jeanine Lobell, the founder of Stila Cosmetics. The couple had four children before parting ways in 2015.
He found love again and married actress Mare Winningham in 2022. Despite whispers of retirement circulating in 2025, he continues to be engaged in theatre work.
Tom Skerritt as CDR Mike 'Viper' Metcalf
Tom Skerritt took on the role of Viper, the experienced instructor and guiding force in Top Gun. His extensive career spans roles in the 1970's hit M*A*S*H, the 1979 sci-fi hallmark Alien, and the 1992 drama A River Runs Through It.
His performance in 1993's Picket Fences earned him a Primetime Emmy, and he co-founded The Film School in Seattle in 1994, aiming to guide budding filmmakers. Now at 91, his zeal for storytelling is unwavering, with his "most personal project yet", Reflections of The River, anticipated for release in 2025.
Michael Ironside as LCDR Rick 'Jester' Heatherly
Michael Ironside portrayed Jester, the squadron's formidable instructor, with a commanding presence. With iconic roles in films like 1981's Scanners, 1990's Total Recall, and 1997's Starship Troopers, his resume boasts more than 200 acting credits.
Having overcome battles with bowel, prostate, and thyroid cancer, he remains active in the industry, most recently featuring in The Dropout in 2022. Married to Karen since 1986, he's also celebrated for his profound appreciation of literature.
John Stockwell as LT Bill 'Cougar' Cortell
John Stockwell played Cougar, Maverick's initial wingman. Transitioning to a directorial role, he helmed Blue Crush in 2002 and Into the Blue in 2005. An avid surfer, the actor allowed his deep love for the ocean to seep into several of his projects, though he has maintained a rather low profile since 2017.
Barry Tubb as LTJG Leonard 'Wolfman' Wolfe
Barry Tubb took on the role of LTJG Leonard 'Wolfman' Wolfe, an esteemed pilot among the ranks of Top Gun's elite. His credits include his appearance in the 1989 series Lonesome Dove, and in 2002, he helmed the Texan family drama film Grand Champion, filmed on location in the town of his roots.
With a passion for cowboy culture, Tubb often participates in rodeos and cowboy gatherings. In 2024, he filed a lawsuit against Paramount for allegedly incorporating his likeness into Top Gun: Maverick without seeking his consent.
Rick Rossovich as LTJG Ron 'Slider' Kerner
Rick Rossovich's portrayal of LTJG Ron 'Slider' Kerner earned him recognition as the dependable Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) alongside Iceman. Notable appearances followed in The Terminator in 1984 and Roxanne in 1987.
In the early 2000s he began retreating from acting, settling down in Sweden with his wife Eva after restoring their California home. However, he made a brief return in the 2012 film Sandbar, and has since relished a quieter lifestyle focused on family and travel.
In a 2012 interview with We Got This Covered, he revealed: "[My career] was 25-years. I've had a really great marriage and kids. I've saved my money and invested."
Tim Robbins as LTJG Sam 'Merlin' Wells
Tim Robbins played LTJG Sam 'Merlin' Wells - who served as Cougar's RIO before taking to the skies alongside Maverick. His stand-out performances include an Oscar win for Mystic River in 2003, accompanied by an Academy Award nomination for directing Dead Man Walking in 1995.
A multifaceted career such as Robbins has secured him in the hall of top acting greats. Tim Robbins was in a long-term relationship with actress Susan Sarandon, spanning over two decades before they parted ways in 2009.
The couple share two sons. Tim later tied the knot with Romanian actress Gratiela Brancusi in 2017, but filed for divorce four years later in 2021. Known for his candid opinions, he has been vocal in his criticism of the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Clarence Gilyard Jr. as LTJG Marcus 'Sundown' Williams
Clarence Gilyard Jr, who played Sundown, Maverick's temporary RIO, rose to fame through his role in 1988's Die Hard. He also featured in Matlock from 1989 to 1993, and Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 to 2001.
In 2020, he reprised his Die Hard role in a car battery commercial alongside Bruce Willis, much to the delight of fans. In his later years, he devoted himself to academia, serving as an acting professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He died in November 2022, aged 66.
Whip Hubley as LT Rick 'Hollywood' Neven
Whip Hubley took on the role of Hollywood, one of the Top Gun pilots. After appearing in Russkies in 1987 and More Tales of the City in 1998, he stepped away from the limelight in the early 2010s.
He now works in construction management in Maine and participates in local theatre productions. Married to former Saturday Night Live producer Dinah Minot, he leads a peaceful life away from the glare of Hollywood.
James Tolkan as CDR Tom 'Stinger' Jardian
James Tolkan brought to life the character of Stinger, Maverick's straight-talking commanding officer. Best remembered as Principal Strickland in Back to the Future, he also starred in 1987's Masters of the Universe.
Retiring following his role in the 2015 thriller Bone Tomahawk, he continues to be a much-loved personality and has made appearances on numerous TV shows. In a treat for fans, in 2025, he thrilled audiences by reuniting with Michael J. Fox to recreate a classic Back to the Future scene.
Meg Ryan as Carole Bradshaw
Best known as Carole Bradshaw, the enduring wife of Goose, Meg Ryan later became synonymous with romantic comedies, starring in hits like 1989's When Harry Met Sally and 1993's Sleepless in Seattle. She bagged three Golden Globe nods and sparked one of the '90s' most coveted hair trends: 'The Meg'.
Her marriage to Dennis Quaid spanned from 1991 until their separation in 2001, and she's the proud mum to actor Jack Quaid. Taking an eight-year hiatus from showbiz, Meg made a comeback in 2023 with What Happens Later, a film she not only helmed but also took on a lead role. Despite her stardom, she's candidly expressed how life in the limelight can be overwhelming, previously describing it as "exhausting and disabling."
