From eye-popping aerial footage to an unmistakably '80s soundtrack to the homoerotic seaside volleyball scene, there's somewhat one thing for everybody in Top Gun. The motion basic, which follows a bunch of red-blooded pilots attending the Navy's Fighter Weapons Faculty in San Diego, was a significant field workplace sensation, with its $176 million gross making it the highest film of 1986.

One of the enjoyable parts of Prime Gun all these years later is seeing so many forged members on the point of stardom. Tom Cruise was definitely rising as an A-lister on the time, with the movie additionally boasting a powerful forged of actors who achieved additional success following its launch, together with Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Tim Robbins, and Meg Ryan.

Meet up with what the forged of Prime Gun is thus far, forward.

Tom Cruise (Maverick)

A younger Tom Cruise booked one among his first main roles as Maverick in Prime Gun. The actor performed the Navy lieutenant after starring in Risky Business in 1983 and incomes credit for Countless Love (1981), Faucets (1981), The Outsiders (1983), All of the Proper Strikes (1983), and Legend (1985).

Cruise was first supplied the lead function in Prime Gun in 1983, nevertheless it was Ridley Scott who helped persuade him to take the half, introducing him to his brother, Tony. "It was aligned with the issues that I like: films and aviation," the actor recalled in 2016.

Within the years since his preliminary flip as Prime Gun's famed aviator, Cruise solely grew to become extra of a star. He earned Oscar nominations for his roles in Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Jerry Maguire (1996), and Magnolia (1999), successful Golden Globes for all three movies. Cruise dominated the field workplace with gigs in Rain Man (1988), The Firm (1993), Vanilla Sky (2001), Minority Report (2002), The Last Samurai (2003), War of the Worlds (2005), and his eight-film Mission: Impossible franchise, which concluded in 2025.

Cruise reprised his function as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 2022 with the discharge of Top Gun: Maverick, which, like the primary movie, grew to become a large box-office success. In contrast to the primary movie, nevertheless, the sequel went on to obtain a Finest Image nomination, giving Cruise his first Oscar nomination as a producer. He’s set to obtain an Honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in movie in November 2025.

Cruise has been married 3 times, to Mimi Rogers from 1987 to 1990, Nicole Kidman from 1990 to 2001, and Katie Holmes from 2006 to 2012. He has two adopted kids (Isabella Jane and Connor Antony) with Kidman, and a daughter (Suri) with Holmes.

Kelly McGillis (Charlie)

Tom Cruise discovered his Prime Gun love curiosity in Kelly McGillis, who performed Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood. McGillis portrayed the astrophysicist after spending just a few years within the business, selecting up credit in Reuben, Reuben (1983) and on One Life to Dwell. She additionally earned Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for her efficiency in Witness (1985) earlier than taking part in Charlie.

"I had a good time capturing [Top Gun]," McGillis advised EW in 2011. "It was like being at summer season camp with a bunch of actually handsome guys. I used to like to rub the highest of their heads once they received shaved. I actually appreciated that. [Laughs.] And we had a good time. All of us frolicked collectively. We had enjoyable. We performed golf collectively and tennis collectively. I couldn't have requested for something higher in my life."

The actress continued her big-screen profession following Prime Gun, showing in Made in Heaven (1987), The Home on Carroll Road (1988), The Accused (1988), The Babe (1992), At First Sight (1999), and The Monkey's Masks (2000).

Within the twenty first century, McGillis appeared in episodes of The L Word as Col. Gillian Davis, and starred in Stake Land (2010), The Innkeepers (2011), and We Are What We Are (2013). McGillis additionally hit the stage a number of instances by way of the years in Broadway productions and with the Shakespeare Theatre Firm.

McGillis has two daughters with ex-husband Fred Tillman. She got here out as a lesbian in 2009 and was in a civil union with Melanie Leis from 2010 to 2011.

Val Kilmer (Iceman)

Val Kilmer joined Prime Gun as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, one other lieutenant within the Navy who butts heads with Maverick. Kilmer got here into the gig with simply three onscreen credit to his identify: 1984's Prime Secret!, a 1985 installment of ABC Afterschool Specials, and Actual Genius in 1985.

Following his flip as Iceman, Kilmer continued to fill his résumé with notable roles, starring in such movies as Willow (1988), The Doors (1991), True Romance (1993), and Tombstone (1993) earlier than taking part in Batman in 1995's Batman Forever. Within the years since, Kilmer hit the massive display in Heat (1995), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), The Saint (1997), At First Sight (1999), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Déjà Vu (2006), and MacGruber (2010).

He additionally appeared in episodes of Knight Rider, The Spoils of Babylon, and Psych. Kilmer was the topic of the 2021 documentary Val, which chronicled his battle with throat most cancers. He returned to play Iceman in Prime Gun: Maverick, offering one of many movie's most touching scenes.

"Making that first movie, we have been all so younger, however even then there was a particular bond between us all. After capturing, we might snort and dance the evening away," Kilmer wrote for EW in 2022. "Coming again to work with Tom greater than 30 years later, it was like no time had handed in any respect."

Kilmer died in April 2025 on the age of 65 after a bout with pneumonia.

Anthony Edwards (Goose)

With a decade within the business to his identify, Anthony Edwards landed what could be a key function in Prime Gun. The actor performed Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, a detailed good friend and comrade to Maverick, flying with the aviator till his premature dying. Edwards, who made his onscreen debut within the '70s, appeared in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Coronary heart Like a Wheel (1983), the short-lived '80s sitcom It Takes Two, Revenge of the Nerds (1984), and The Positive Factor (1985).

He reprised his function as Gilbert for Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise in 1987, and appeared in Miracle Mile (1988), Pet Sematary II (1992), early '90s episodes of Northern Publicity, The Shopper (1994), Taking part in by Coronary heart (1998), Northfork (2003), The Forgotten (2004), and Zodiac (2007).

Edwards earned Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe win for his prolonged stint on ER as Dr. Mark Greene. He went on to win an Emmy in 2010 for his work as an govt producer on the TV film Temple Grandin, and popped up in Flipped (2010), a 2015 episode of Girls, and recurring roles on Billions and Inventing Anna.

Edwards has 4 kids with ex-wife Jeanine Lobell. He married actress Mare Winningham in 2021.

Tom Skerritt (Viper)

Tom Skerritt made his look in Prime Gun as Mike "Viper" Metcalf, a high-achieving and sensible chief teacher with the unit. Skerritt got here into the gig with many years of expertise to his identify, having earned earlier credit for M*A*S*H (1970), Fuzz (1972), Thieves Like Us (1974), The Turning Level (1977), Up in Smoke (1978), Alien (1979), and The Useless Zone (1983).

Following Prime Gun, Skerritt did a late-'80s stint on Cheers, earned Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy win for his flip as Jimmy Brock on Picket Fences within the '90s, and appeared in Steel Magnolias (1989), The Rookie (1990), Poison Ivy (1992), A River Runs Via It (1992), Singles (1992), Contact (1997), Smoke Indicators (1998), The Other Sister (1999), and Tears of the Sun (2003).

Skerritt had a recurring function as William Walker on Brothers & Sisters and James Paisley on The Good Wife, and hit the massive display in Whiteout (2009), Ted (2012), At Middleton (2013), A Hologram for the King (2016), and East of the Mountains (2021).

Skerritt has been married to Julie Tokashiki since 1998. He has a daughter with Tokashiki and 4 different kids from earlier marriages.

Michael Ironside (Jester)

Michael Ironside kicked off his profession within the '70s and earned early credit in Scanners (1981), Visiting Hours (1982), Spacehunter: Adventures within the Forbidden Zone (1983), and The Falcon and the Snowman (1985), along with episodes of Hill Road Blues, V, and V: The Closing Battle. He then performed Rick "Jester" Heatherly in Prime Gun, an teacher for the unit.

Ironside adopted up the gig with credit for Complete Recall (1990); Highlander II: The Quickening (1991); Free Willy (1993); The Subsequent Karate Child (1994); Main Payne (1995); Starship Troopers (1997); Walker, Texas Ranger; The Excellent Storm (2000); ER; The Machinist (2004); and Terminator Salvation (2009).

The veteran actor additionally appeared as Captain in X-Men: First Class (2011), voiced Extremely Magnus in numerous Transformers releases, and appeared on exhibits like The Alienist, This Is Us, and The Dropout.

Ironside married Karen Dinwiddie in 1986; he has a daughter together with her and one other from a earlier marriage.

John Stockwell (Cougar)

John Stockwell joined Prime Gun as Invoice "Cougar" Cortell, one among Maverick's wingmen who makes an early exit from flying. Earlier than changing into the airman, Stockwell appeared in Losin' It (1983), Eddie and the Cruisers (1983), Christine (1983), Radioactive Goals (1985), My Science Venture (1985), and episodes of North and South.

After Prime Gun, Stockwell earned popularity of his writing, picked up an Emmy nomination for his 2000 TV film Cheaters, and went on to pen the scripts for Rock Star (2001) and Blue Crush (2002). He additionally stepped behind the digital camera as a director, helming Cheaters, Loopy/Lovely (2001), Blue Crush, Into the Blue (2005), Turistas (2006), Middle of Nowhere (2008), a handful of episodes of The L Phrase, and Darkish Tide (2012).

Stockwell has three kids together with his spouse, Helene Henderson. His niece is Florence + the Machine vocalist Florence Welch.

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Whip Hubley (Hollywood)

Prime Gun discovered its "Hollywood" in Whip Hubley, who performed the wingman with the true identify of Rick Neven. He had just a few roles earlier than the gig, showing in St. Elmo's Fire (1985), in addition to episodes of Magnum, P.I. and North and South.

Hubley spent the late-'80s in TV films, and picked up '90s credit for Life Goes On; Homicide, She Wrote; Coneheads (1993); Species (1995); Government Resolution (1996); and A Very Brady Sequel (1996). Within the years since, he has largely targeted on tv, touchdown bit roles in one-off episodes of The Practice, Charmed, The District, and CSI: Miami.

Hubley is married to Dinah Minot, an affiliate producer at Saturday Night Live within the late-'80s.

Barry Tubb (Wolfman)

Barry Tubb labored with "Hollywood" in Prime Gun as Leonard "Wolfman" Wolfe, an officer aiding the lieutenant. Tubb started his onscreen profession within the '80s, showing in Masks (1985), The Legend of Billie Jean (1985), and episodes of Bay Metropolis Blues, The Mississippi, and Hill Road Blues earlier than becoming a member of Prime Gun.

He went on to play Jasper Fant in Lonesome Dove (1989) and Return to Lonesome Dove (1994), and starred in Responsible by Suspicion (1991), American Outlaws (2001), and The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005). He performed Tom Cafferty for an arc on Friday Night Lights and appeared in just a few episodes of NBC's Revolution.

In 2024, Tubb sued Paramount Photos for utilizing his picture in Prime Gun: Maverick with out his permission.

Rick Rossovich (Slider)

Slider might have smelled, however Rick Rossovich hardly stunk because the junior grade lieutenant, whose actual identify was Ron Kerner.

"We have been only a bunch of younger guys; it was all testosterone," Rossovich advised ScreenRant in 2021. "And the Navy type of fueled it, as a result of we have been surrounded by all these Ace pilots who have been the true deal. These are the fellows that don't get there accidentally; you actually must have some type of some mettle to get there. On daily basis was like, 'Okay, you higher come ready. You higher be prepared.' It was only a pleasure, although."

Rossovich got here into the gig after incomes earlier credit for The Lords of Self-discipline (1983), Streets of Hearth (1984), and The Terminator (1984), and episodes of Fantasy Island, B.J. and the Bear, and Eight Is Sufficient.

After taking part in Slider, Rossovich continued to behave, showing in The Morning After (1986), Roxanne (1987), Navy Seals (1990), and Fact or Penalties, N.M. (1997). He had an arc on ER as Dr. John "Tag" Taglieri, and spent two years taking part in Lt. Anthony Palermo on Pacific Blue. Rossovich took a little bit of a hiatus from performing within the 2000s, however returned for smaller initiatives within the 2010s.

He has two kids together with his spouse, Eva.

Tim Robbins (Merlin)

Tim Robbins discovered his spot in Prime Gun as Samuel "Merlin" Wells, an officer who works with Maverick. Robbins joined the flick after just a few years within the business, boasting early-'80s credit in No Small Affair (1984), The Positive Factor (1985), and Fraternity Trip (1985), and episodes of St. Elsewhere, The Love Boat, and Hill Road Blues.

Following Prime Gun, Robbins spent the following decade starring in Bull Durham (1988), Erik the Viking (1989), Cadillac Man (1990), Jacob's Ladder (1990), The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Able to Put on (1994), and I.Q. (1994). After selecting up Golden Globes for The Participant (1992) and Brief Cuts (1993), Robbins earned his first Oscar nomination for steering 1995's Dead Man Walking.

Occurring to star in Nothing to Lose (1997), Arlington Street (1999), Mission to Mars (2000), Excessive Constancy (2000), and Antitrust (2001), Robbins additionally gained the Finest Supporting Actor Golden Globe and Oscar for 2003's Mystic River. Within the years since, he appeared in Code 46 (2003), Conflict of the Worlds, Zathura: A House Journey (2005), Tenacious D in The Choose of Future (2006), The Fortunate Ones (2008), Green Lantern (2011), Welcome to Me (2014), and Dark Waters (2019). He is among the stars of the Apple TV+ sci-fi drama Silo.

Robbins has two sons with Susan Sarandon, with whom he was in a relationship from 1988 to 2009. He was married to Gratiela Brancusi from 2017 to 2022.

Clarence Gilyard Jr. (Sunset)

After showing in episodes of Diff'rent Strokes, CHiPs, and The Duck Manufacturing facility, Clarence Gilyard Jr. joined Prime Gun as Marcus "Sunset" Williams, who works with Maverick after Goose's dying however struggles in mild of the tragedy.

After the flick, Gilyard appeared in Die Hard (1988) and spent 4 years on Matlock as Conrad McMasters earlier than reserving his most well-known function so far: James Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger. He starred within the sequence from 1993 to 2001, and reprised his function in just a few different spinoff initiatives. Within the 2010s, Gilyard popped up in indie films whereas additionally working as an affiliate professor of theater on the College of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Gilyard had six kids between two marriages. The actor died in 2022 after an extended sickness, on the age of 66.

James Tolkan (Stinger)

James Tolkan performed Tom "Stinger" Jardian in Prime Gun, a commander who oversees Maverick. The veteran actor boasted pre-Prime Gun credit in a slew of movies, together with They Would possibly Be Giants (1971), The Mates of Eddie Coyle (1973), Serpico (1973), Love and Demise (1975), The Amityville Horror (1979), Prince of the Metropolis (1981), WarGames (1983), and Back to the Future (1985).

After Prime Gun, Tolkan performed Norman Keyes in just a few episodes of Remington Steele, Mike Ragland in The Hat Squad, and Dallas Cassel in Cobra, and hit the massive display in Armed and Harmful (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987), Back to the Future Part II (1989), Household Enterprise (1989), Back to the Future Part III (1990), Dick Tracy (1990), and Drawback Youngster 2 (1991). Within the 2010s, he performed Choose Fidler in HBO's 2013 movie Phil Spector, and popped up in 2015's Bone Tomahawk.

Tolkan has been married to his spouse, Parmelee Welles, since 1971.

Meg Ryan (Carole)

Early in her profession, Meg Ryan performed Goose's spouse Carole in Prime Gun. Ryan picked up the gig after showing in episodes of Because the World Turns, ABC Afterschool Specials, and Charles in Cost within the '80s.

She went on to star in Armed and Harmful (1986), Innerspace (1987), D.O.A. (1988), and The Presidio (1988) earlier than selecting up her first Golden Globe nomination for 1989's When Harry Met Sally. She landed two extra nominations within the years that adopted, for Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and You've Got Mail (1998), and dominated the field workplace together with her rom-com turns.

Ryan has popped up in episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm and Net Remedy, and reunited with former costar Tom Hanks in 2015's Ithaca, which she additionally directed. She co-wrote, directed, and starred within the 2023 rom-com What Occurs Later with David Duchovny.

Ryan has two kids with ex-husband Dennis Quaid, together with actor Jack Quaid.

Adrian Pasdar (Chipper)

Adrian Pasdar made his onscreen debut in Prime Gun as Charles "Chipper" Piper, a lieutenant within the unit.

"It was only a wild expertise for me," Pasdar recalled to Philly Magazine in 2007. "I used to be 19. And [Tom] Cruise was one of many nicest guys on this planet. Each time I've seen him since then, he's been a gentleman."

The gig kicked off a busy profession for the actor, who spent the late-'80s and early-'90s in Solarbabies (1986), Close to Darkish (1987), and Carlito's Manner (1993).

He went on to earn credit for Mysterious Methods, Judging Amy, Desperate Housewives, and Heroes within the 2000s, and lent his voice to The Tremendous Hero Squad Present and the Iron Man sequence. His current small-screen gigs embrace 2010s episodes of Castle, Political Animals, The Mendacity Recreation, Hulk and the Brokers of S.M.A.S.H., Final Spider-Man, Marvel's Avengers Assemble, and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Pasdar has two kids with the Chicks vocalist Natalie Maines, to whom he was married from 2000 to 2019.

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