The world of Hollywood and aviation fans alike were shaken by the recent death of Val Kilmer, the beloved actor who brought Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky to life in 1986 classic Top Gun. His portrayal of the confident, no-nonsense pilot made him one of the most iconic characters in the blockbuster - and his return in Top Gun: Maverick was an emotional tribute to both the character and the man behind him.
It's hard to believe it's been nearly 40 years since the original film was released. The actors who once played daring fighter pilots, strict instructors, and devoted loved ones have taken vastly different paths in the years since.
From mega-stardom, to quiet lives away from the spotlight, the actors lives are as varied as the personalities of the characters they played. In light of Val’s death, let’s take a look back at the cast of Top Gun, where they are now, and how they have shaped their careers and lives in the years since the classic first hit the screens.
Tom Cruise as Lt Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell
Tom Cruise’s portrayal of the audacious pilot Maverick saw the birth of a Hollywood icon. Since then, Tom has built an illustrious career, headlined by the enduring Mission: Impossible franchise. In May 2025, he is set to reprise his role as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, the eighth instalment of the series.
Val Kilmer as Lt Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky
Val Kilmer portrayed Iceman as the perfect foil for Maverick as the rival pilot who later learned a grudging respect for his comrade. Val also made a poignant appearance in 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, in which his battle with cancer was written into the storyline.
He had a wide-ranging career, portraying roles as far-ranging as Jim Morrison in 1991's The Doors and the Caped Crusader in 1995's Batman Forever. In 2017 he revealed he had been treated for throat cancer. He died earlier this month, aged 65.
Kelly McGillis as Charlotte 'Charlie' Blackwood
Kelly McGillis portrayed Charlie, Maverick’s civilian instructor and love interest. Following Top Gun, she starred in 1985's Witness, earning a BAFTA nomination, and The Accused in 1988.
In the 2000s, she stepped away from Hollywood, focusing on stage acting and teaching. In 2009, she publicly came out as a lesbian.
Later, she worked in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and in 2016, she survived a violent home invasion, prompting her to obtain a concealed carry permit. Nowadays, she continues to teach acting in North Carolina.
Anthony Edwards as LTJG Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw
Anthony Edwards won hearts as Goose, Maverick’s best friend and Radar Intercept Officer - and broke them with the character's tragic death. He later starred as Dr Mark Greene on ER from 1994 until 2002, winning a Golden Globe and earning multiple Emmy nominations.
Off-screen, he has been a licensed pilot since 2012. He married Jeanine Lobell, founder of Stila Cosmetics, and they had four children before divorcing in 2015.
He went on to marry actress Mare Winningham in 2022. Though rumours of his retirement surfaced in 2025, he remains active in the world of theater.
Tom Skerritt as CDR Mike 'Viper' Metcalf
Tom Skerritt played Viper, Top Gun's seasoned instructor and mentor. His long career includes 1970's M*A*S*H, 1979 sci-fi classic Alien, and 1992's A River Runs Through It (1992).
He won a Primetime Emmy for 1993's Picket Fences and co-founded The Film School in Seattle in 1994 to mentor aspiring filmmakers. Now aged 91, his passion for storytelling continues, with his "most personal project yet", Reflections of The River , set to be released in 2025.
Michael Ironside as LCDR Rick 'Jester' Heatherly
Michael Ironside brought intensity to Jester, the squad's tough-as-nails instructor. Known for 1981's Scanners, 1990's Total Recall, and 1997's Starship Troopers, he has more than 200 acting credits.
A survivor of bowel, prostate, and thyroid cancer, he continues to work, most recently appearing in The Dropout in 2022. He has been married to his wife, Karen, since 1986 and is known for his deep love of literature .
John Stockwell as LT Bill 'Cougar' Cortell
John Stockwell played Cougar, Maverick’s original wingman. After shifting behind the camera, he directed Blue Crush in 2002, and Into the Blue in 2005.
A lifelong surfer, his passion for the ocean influenced many of his projects. Since 2017, he has maintained a low public profile.
Barry Tubb as LTJG Leonard 'Wolfman' Wolfe
Barry Tubb played Wolfman, one of the elite Top Gun pilots. He later appeared in Lonesome Dove in 1989, and directed Grand Champion in 2002, a family film shot in his Texas hometown.
A dedicated cowboy, he actively participates in rodeo events and cowboy culture gatherings. In 2024, he sued Paramount for using his likeness in Top Gun: Maverick without his consent.
Rick Rossovich as LTJG Ron 'Slider' Kerner
Rick Rossovich played Slider, Iceman’s loyal Radar Intercept Officer (RIO). He gained further recognition in The Terminator in 1984, and Roxanne in 1987.
By the early 2000s, he stepped away from acting, relocating to Sweden with his wife, Eva, after restoring a home in California. Though he briefly returned for Sandbar in 2012, he embraced a quieter life, focusing on family and travel.
He said in a 2012 interview with We Got This Covered: "[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 Merlin, first Cougar’s RIO, then Maverick’s. He won an Academy Award for Mystic River in 2003 and earned an Oscar nomination for directing Dead Man Walking in 1995.
He was in a relationship with actress Susan Sarandon for more than 20 years before their split in 2009. They have two sons. Tim later married Romanian actress Gratiela Brancusi in 2017, but filed for divorce in 2021. Known for his outspoken views, he was highly critical of the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Clarence Gilyard Jr. as LTJG Marcus 'Sundown' Williams
Clarence Gilyard Jr. played Sundown, Maverick’s temporary RIO. He became a household name through 1988's Die Hard, and appeared in Matlock from 1989 until 1993, and Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 until 2001.
He made a nostalgic return to his Die Hard role in a 2020 car battery commercial alongside Bruce Willis. In later years, he dedicated himself to teaching, serving as an acting professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He died in November 2022, at the age of 66.
Whip Hubley as LT Rick 'Hollywood' Neven
Whip Hubley played Hollywood, one of the Top Gun pilots. After roles in Russkies in 1987 and More Tales of the City in 1998, he left Hollywood in the early 2010s. He now works in construction management in Maine while performing in local theater. Married to former Saturday Night Live producer Dinah Minot, he enjoys a quiet life far from Hollywood’s spotlight.
James Tolkan as CDR Tom 'Stinger' Jardian
James Tolkan played Stinger, Maverick’s no-nonsense commanding officer. Best known as Principal Strickland in Back to the Future, he also starred in 1987's Masters of the Universe.
Retiring after 2015 horror Bone Tomahawk, he remains a beloved figure and has made guest appearances at many TV shows. In 2025, he delighted audiences by reuniting with Michael J. Fox to reenact one of their famous Back to the Future scenes.
Meg Ryan as Carole Bradshaw
Meg Ryan was Carole Bradshaw, Goose’s beloved wife. Later, she became a rom-com icon with 1989's When Harry Met Sally and 1993's Sleepless in Seattle, earning three Golden Globe nominations and inspiring one of the most requested hairstyles of the '90s - 'The Meg'.
Married to Dennis Quaid from 1991 to 2001, she is the mother of actor Jack Quaid. After an eight-year break from the entertainment industry, she returned with What Happens Later in 2023, a film she directed and starred in. Despite her fame, she has spoken about her discomfort with celebrity life, once calling it “exhausting and disabling.”