Top Gun cast reunites nearly 40 years after entering the Danger Zone

See what the stars of the 1986 blockbuster, including Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, and Val Kilmer, are up to today.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:08pm

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It's been nearly 40 years since the release of the 1986 action classic Top Gun, which launched the careers of many of Hollywood's future stars. EW takes a look at what the cast of the film, including Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, and more, are up to today.

Why it matters

Top Gun was a major box office hit that helped launch the careers of several actors who went on to become A-list stars. The film's enduring popularity and the recent release of the sequel Top Gun: Maverick have renewed interest in the original cast and their lives and careers since the film's release.

The details

The Top Gun cast featured a mix of up-and-coming actors and established stars. Tom Cruise played the lead role of Maverick, which helped cement his status as a rising leading man in Hollywood. Kelly McGillis co-starred as his love interest, Charlie, while Val Kilmer played his rival, Iceman. Other notable cast members included Anthony Edwards as Goose, Tom Skerritt as Viper, and Meg Ryan in an early role as Goose's wife, Carole.

  • Top Gun was released in 1986.
  • The sequel Top Gun: Maverick was released in 2022.

The players

Tom Cruise

Cruise played the lead role of Maverick in Top Gun, which helped launch him to superstardom. He has gone on to have a hugely successful career, starring in numerous blockbuster films including the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Kelly McGillis

McGillis played the role of Charlie, Maverick's love interest, in Top Gun. She continued acting in films and TV shows after the movie, and came out as a lesbian in 2009.

Val Kilmer

Kilmer played the role of Iceman, Maverick's rival, in Top Gun. He went on to have a successful career, starring in films like Batman Forever, Heat, and The Saint, and recently appeared in the Top Gun sequel.

Anthony Edwards

Edwards played the role of Goose, Maverick's friend and wingman, in Top Gun. He later found success on the TV show ER, for which he won an Emmy.

Meg Ryan

Ryan had a small role as Goose's wife, Carole, in Top Gun. She went on to become a major romantic comedy star in the 1990s, appearing in films like When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle.

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What they’re saying

“When you fly in the F-14, it's one of those experiences that is bigger than life itself. It blows your s--- away. These guys do it everyday and you know why they want it. Flying is so intense and emotional.”

— Tom Cruise

“Making that first film, we were all so young, but even then there was a special bond between us all. After shooting, we would laugh and dance the night away. Coming back to work with Tom more than 30 years later, it was like no time had passed at all.”

— Val Kilmer

“We were just a bunch of young guys; it was all testosterone. And the Navy kind of fueled it, because we were surrounded by all these Ace pilots who were the real deal. These are the guys that don't get there by accident; you really have to have some kind of some mettle to get there. Every day was like, 'Okay, you better come prepared. You better be ready.' It was just a joy, though.”

— Rick Rossovich

What’s next

The cast of Top Gun: Maverick, including Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, and others, are expected to attend the film's premiere in May 2026.

The takeaway

The enduring popularity of Top Gun and the recent success of its sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, have renewed interest in the original film's cast and their careers. Many of the actors, including Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, and Val Kilmer, have gone on to have successful and varied careers in the decades since the film's release.