The action blockbuster first took our breaths away on May 16, 1986.

*Top Gun *turns 40! See Tom Cruise and his costars four decades later

The action blockbuster first took our breaths away on May 16, 1986.

By Madeline Boardman,

Madeline Boardman

Madeline Boardman is a former digital features director at **. She left EW in 2017.

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Kevin Jacobsen,

and Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

May 16, 2026 10:00 a.m. ET

Anthony Edwards as Lt. Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw and Tom Cruise as Lt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in 'Top Gun'. Credit:

Forty years ago, we took a ride into the danger zone... and never looked back.

Directed by Tony Scott, *Top Gun* soared into theaters on May 16, 1986, following fighter pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) as he learned the tricks of the trade and competed with his fellow aviators at the titular Fighter Weapons School. The action drama's legacy was further cemented in 2022 with the sequel, *Top Gun: Maverick*, which became Cruise's highest-grossing film of all time.

Cruise confirmed his movie-star status with *Top Gun*, and the movie boosted the budding careers of Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, and Anthony Edwards.

On the 40th anniversary of *Top Gun*'s theatrical release, we're taking a look at the long and winding careers of its cast — and where they are now.

Tom Cruise (Maverick)

Tom Cruise as Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in 'Top Gun'; Tom Cruise at the Warner Bros. Pictures photocall during CinemaCon 2026 at the Dolby Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

A young Tom Cruise booked one of his first major roles as Maverick in *Top Gun.*

Cruise spoke with pilots before becoming a fictional one himself, and their feelings about taking to the skies directly affected him. In a May 1986 conversation with Cameron Crowe for *Interview Magazine*, he shared, “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. But ever since I got involved in *Top Gun*, I didn’t want to make a warmonger movie. I wanted to get into the personality of these guys, what makes them fly. What makes my character, Maverick, want to fly? I wanted to give him a sensitivity.”

Cruise went on to earn Oscar nominations for his performances in *Born on the Fourth of July* (1989), *Jerry Maguire* (1996), and *Magnolia* (1999), winning Golden Globes for all three films. Cruise ruled the box office with numerous gigs, including his eight-film *Mission: Impossible* franchise, which concluded in 2025.

The actor reprised his role as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 2022 with the release of *Top Gun: Maverick*, which received a Best Picture nomination — Cruise's first Oscar nod as a producer. He received an Honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in film in November 2025. He will star in Oscar-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu's next film, *Digger.*

Cruise has been married three 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 children (Isabella Jane and Connor Antony) with Kidman, and a daughter (Suri) with Holmes.

Kelly McGillis (Charlie)

Kelly McGillis as Charlotte 'Charlie' Blackwood in 'Top Gun'; Kelly McGillis poses for a portrait during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at the WireImage Portrait Studio at Village at the Lift on Jan. 18, 2013, in Park City, Utah.

CBS via Getty; Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Tom Cruise found his *Top Gun* love interest in Kelly McGillis, who played Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood.

"I had a great time shooting [*Top Gun*]," McGillis told EW in 2011. "It was like being at summer camp with a bunch of really good-looking guys. I used to love to rub the top of their heads when they got shaved. I really liked that."

The actress continued her big-screen career following *Top Gun*, appearing in *Made in Heaven* (1987), *The Accused* (1988), *The Babe *(1992), and *At First Sight* (1999).

In the 21st 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 also hit the stage multiple times through the years in Broadway productions and with the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

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

Val Kilmer (Iceman)

Val Kilmer as Lt. Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in 'Top Gun'; Val Kilmer visits the United Nations headquarters to promote the 17 Sustainable Development Goals initiative on July 20, 2019, in New York City.

CBS via Getty;  EuropaNewswire/Gado/Getty

Val Kilmer joined *Top Gun* as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, another lieutenant in the Navy who butts heads with Maverick.

Following his turn as Iceman, Kilmer continued to fill his résumé with notable roles, starring in such films as *Willow *(1988), *The Doors* (1991), *True Romance* (1993), and *Tombstone* (1993) before playing Batman in 1995's *Batman Forever*.

Kilmer later hit the big screen in *Heat* (1995), *The Ghost and the Darkness *(1996), *The Saint *(1997), *At First Sight* (1999), *Kiss Kiss Bang Bang* (2005), and *MacGruber *(2010).

Kilmer was the subject of the 2021 documentary *Val*, which chronicled his battle with throat cancer. He returned to play Iceman in *Top Gun: Maverick*, providing one of the film's most touching scenes.

"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," Kilmer wrote for EW in 2022. "Coming back to work with Tom more than 30 years later, it was like no time had passed at all."

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

Anthony Edwards (Goose)

Anthony Edwards as Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw in 'Top Gun'; Anthony Edwards attends the Joyful Heart Foundation honors Vice President Joe Biden at Joyful Revolution Gala on May 10, 2016, in New York City.

Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection; Andrew Toth/FilmMagic

After a decade in the industry, Anthony Edwards landed what would be a key role in *Top Gun*. The actor played Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, a close friend and comrade to Maverick, flying with the aviator until his untimely death.

Following *Top Gun*, Edwards appeared in projects like *Pet Sematary II* (1992),*The Client* (1994), *The Forgotten* (2004), and *Zodiac *(2007). He also had a recurring role on the beloved CBS series *Northern Exposure*,

Edwards earned Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe win for his extended stint on *ER* as Dr. Mark Greene. He went on to win an Emmy in 2010 for his work as an executive producer on the TV movie *Temple Grandin*, and had recurring roles on *Billions *and *Inventing Anna*.

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

Tom Skerritt (Viper)

Tom Skerritt as Mike 'Viper' Metcalf in 'Top Gun'; Tom Skerritt attends the Seattle International Film Festival 2023 opening night event at the Paramount Theatre on May 11, 2023, in Seattle, Wash.

CBS via Getty; Mat Hayward/Getty

Tom Skerritt played Mike "Viper" Metcalf, a high-achieving and wise chief instructor with the unit. Skerritt came into the gig with decades of experience to his name, including four years in the United States Air Force.

Following *Top Gun*, Skerritt did a late-'80s stint on *Cheers*, earned Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy for his turn as Jimmy Brock on *Picket Fences*, and appeared in films like *Steel Magnolias* (1989), *A River Runs Through It *(1992), *Singles* (1992), *Contact* (1997), and *Tears of the Sun* (2003).

Skerritt had recurring roles as William Walker on *Brothers & Sisters* and James Paisley on *The Good Wife*, and hit the big screen in *Whiteout* (2009), *Ted* (2012), *At Middleton *(2013), *A Hologram for the King* (2016), *East of the Mountains* (2021), and *Broke* (2025).

Skerritt has been married to Julie Tokashiki since 1998. He has a daughter with Tokashiki and four other children from previous marriages.

Michael Ironside (Jester)

Michael Ironside as Rick 'Jester' Heatherly in 'Top Gun'; Michael Ironside speaks during 2025 Los Angeles Comic-Con at Los Angeles Convention Center on Sept. 28, 2025, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Jody Cortes/Getty

Michael Ironside played Rick "Jester" Heatherly, an instructor for the unit.

Ironside followed up the gig with credits for *Total Recall *(1990); *Highlander II: The Quickening *(1991); *Free Willy* (1993); *The Next Karate Kid *(1994); *Starship Troopers* (1997); *Walker, Texas Ranger*; *The Perfect Storm* (2000); *The Machinist *(2004); and *Terminator Salvation* (2009).

The veteran Canadian actor also appeared as Captain in *X-Men: First Class* (2011), voiced Ultra Magnus in various *Transformers *releases, and appeared on shows like *The Alienist, This Is Us*, and* The Dropout*.

Ironside married Karen Dinwiddie in 1986; he has a daughter with her and another from a previous marriage. He has survived multiple forms of cancer.

John Stockwell (Cougar)

John Stockwell as Bill 'Cougar' Cortell in 'Top Gun'; John Stockwell attends Venice Family Clinic Art Walk & Auctions - VIP Preview on May 20, 2017, in Venice, Calif.

CBS via Getty; Stefanie Keenan/Getty

John Stockwell joined *Top Gun* as Bill "Cougar" Cortell, one of Maverick's wingmen who makes an early exit from flying.

After *Top Gun*, Stockwell earned acclaim for his writing. He picked up an Emmy nomination for his 2000 TV movie *Cheaters*, and went on to pen the scripts for *Rock Star* (2001) and *Blue Crush* (2002).

He also stepped behind the camera as a director, helming *Crazy/Beautiful *(2001), *Blue Crush*, *Into the Blue *(2005), *Turistas *(2006), and *Middle of Nowhere* (2008), as well as a handful of episodes of *The L Word.* In 2018, he appeared in an episode of the miniseries *Escape at Dannemora*, his most recent onscreen credit.

Stockwell has three children with his wife, Helene Henderson. His niece is Florence + the Machine vocalist Florence Welch.

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Whip Hubley (Hollywood)

Whip Hubley as Rick 'Hollywood' Neven in 'Top Gun'; Whip Hubley attends Cockpit USA & Budweiser private 30th anniversary screening of 'Top Gun' at the London Hotel on May 16, 2016, in West Hollywood, Calif.

Paramount Pictures; Michael Kovac/Getty

*Top Gun* found its "Hollywood" in Whip Hubley, who played the wingman with the real name of Rick Neven.

Hubley starred in several TV movies throughout the late '80s. In the '90s, he appeared in films like *Coneheads *(1993), *Species *(1995),* Executive Decision *(1996), and *A Very Brady Sequel *(1996). In the years since, he has largely focused on television, landing bit roles in one-off episodes of *The Practice*, *Charmed*, *The District*, and *CSI: Miami*.

As of 2022, Hubley lives in Maine, where he works in construction and acts on the side. Hubley is married to Dinah Minot, who was an associate producer at *Saturday Night Live* in the late '80s.

Barry Tubb (Wolfman)

Barry Tubb as Henry 'Wolfman' Ruth in 'Top Gun'; Barry Tubb introduces a special screening of 'Top Gun' at Camp Mabry on Sept. 1, 2019, in Austin.

Paramount Pictures; Gary Miller/Getty

Barry Tubb worked with "Hollywood" in *Top Gun* as Henry "Wolfman" Ruth, an officer assisting the lieutenant.

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

In 2024, Tubb sued Paramount Pictures for using his image in *Top Gun: Maverick* without his permission.

Rick Rossovich (Slider)

Rick Rossovich as Ron 'Slider' Kerner in 'Top Gun'; Rick Rossovich attends the opening reception for 'WHIRLIGIG' by photographer Bruce Weber at Fahey/Klein Gallery on Oct. 27, 2005, in Los Angeles, Calif.

CBS via Getty; Jennifer Robbins/Patrick McMullan via Getty

Slider may have smelled, but Rick Rossovich hardly stunk as the junior grade lieutenant, whose real name was Ron Kerner.

"We were just a bunch of young guys; it was all testosterone," Rossovich told ScreenRant in 2021. "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."

After playing Slider, Rossovich continued to act, appearing in *The Morning After* (1986), *Roxanne* (1987), *Navy Seals* (1990), and *Truth or Consequences, N.M.* (1997). He had an arc on *ER* as Dr. John "Tag" Taglieri, and spent two years playing Lt. Anthony Palermo on *Pacific Blue*.

Rossovich took a bit of a hiatus from acting in the 2000s, but returned for smaller projects in the 2010s.

He has two children with his wife, Eva.

Tim Robbins (Merlin)

Tim Robbins as Lt. Sam 'Merlin' Wells in 'Top Gun'; Tim Robbins attends the 'Silo' season 2 world premiere at Picturehouse Central on Oct. 29, 2024, in London, England.

CBS via Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Tim Robbins played Samuel "Merlin" Wells, an officer who works with Maverick. Robbins joined the flick after a few years in the industry, boasting credits in *No Small Affair *(1984), *The Sure Thing *(1985), and *Fraternity Vacation *(1985), as well as episodes of *St. Elsewhere*, *The Love Boat*, and *Hill Street Blues*.

Following *Top Gun*, Robbins spent the next decade starring in films like *Bull Durham *(1988), *Cadillac Man* (1990), *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), *The Hudsucker Proxy *(1994), *The Shawshank Redemption* (1994), and *I.Q.* (1994).

After picking up Golden Globes for *The Player* (1992) and *Short Cuts *(1993), Robbins earned his first Oscar nomination for directing 1995's *Dead Man Walking*.

Robbins eventually won the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe and Oscar for 2003's *Mystic River*. In the years since, he's appeared in films like *Code 46* (2003), *The Lucky Ones *(2008), *Green Lantern* (2011), and *Dark Waters *(2019). He is one of the stars of the hit 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. (Sundown)

Clarence Gilyard Jr. as Marcus 'Sundown' Williams in 'Top Gun'; Clarence Gilyard Jr. during 'Left Behind: The Movie' screening at Directors Guild on Jan. 26, 2001, in Los Angeles, Calif.

CBS via Getty; J. P. Aussenard/WireImage

After appearing in episodes of *Diff'rent Strokes*, *CHiPs*, and *The Duck Factory*, Clarence Gilyard Jr. joined *Top Gun* as Marcus "Sundown" Williams, who works with Maverick after Goose's death but struggles in light of the tragedy.

After the flick, Gilyard appeared in *Die Hard* (1988) and spent four years on *Matlock* as Conrad McMasters before booking his most famous role to date: James Trivette on *Walker, Texas Ranger*. He starred in the series from 1993 to 2001, and reprised his role in a few other spinoff projects.

In the 2010s, Gilyard popped up in indie movies while also working as an associate professor of theater at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Gilyard had six children between two marriages. The actor died in 2022 after a long illness, at the age of 66.

James Tolkan (Stinger)

James Tolkan as Tom 'Stinger' Jardian in 'Top Gun'; James Tolkan attends Chiller Theatre Expo Halloween 2025 at Hilton Parsippany on Oct. 26, 2025, in Parsippany, N.J.

CBS via Getty; Bobby Bank/Getty

James Tolkan played Tom "Stinger" Jardian in *Top Gun*, a commander who oversees Maverick.

The veteran actor, famous for his turn as Principal Strickland in *Back to the Future* (1985), went on to play Norman Keyes in a few episodes of *Remington Steele*, Mike Ragland in *The Hat Squad*, and Dallas Cassel in *Cobra.*

He lit up the big screen in *Armed and Dangerous *(1986), *Masters of the Universe *(1987), *Back to the Future Part II* (1989), *Family Business *(1989), *Dick Tracy* (1990), and *Problem Child 2* (1991). In the 2010s, he played Judge Fidler in HBO's 2013 film *Phil Spector*, and popped up in 2015's *Bone Tomahawk*.

Tolkan died in March 2026 at the age of 94. He is survived by his wife, Parmelee Welles, whom he married in 1971.

Meg Ryan (Carole)

Meg Ryan as Carole Bradshaw in 'Top Gun'; Meg Ryan attends the 2026 'Vanity Fair' Oscar party at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.

CBS via Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Early in her career, Meg Ryan played Goose's wife, Carole, in *Top Gun*. Ryan picked up the gig after appearing in episodes of *As the World Turns*, *ABC Afterschool Specials*, and *Charles in Charge. *

She went on to star in movies like *Innerspace *(1987) and *D.O.A.* (1988) before picking up her first Golden Globe nomination for 1989's *When Harry Met Sally*. She landed two more nominations in the years that followed, for *Sleepless in Seattle* (1993) and *You've Got Mail* (1998), and ruled the box office with her rom-com turns.

Ryan has popped up in episodes of *Curb Your Enthusiasm* and* Web Therapy*, and reunited with former costar Tom Hanks in 2015's *Ithaca*, which she also directed. She cowrote, directed, and starred in the 2023 rom-com *What Happens Later* with David Duchovny, and will appear in the Lena Dunham-helmed rom-com *Good Sex*, expected to be released in 2026.

Ryan has two children with ex-husband Dennis Quaid, including actor Jack Quaid.

Adrian Pasdar (Chipper)

Adrian Pasdar as Charles 'Chipper' Piper in 'Top Gun'; Adrian Pasdar attends the red carpet screening for MGM+'s 'The Institute' at the Culver Theater on June 26, 2025, in Culver City, Calif.

CBS via Getty; Robin L Marshall/Getty

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

"It was just a wild experience for me," Pasdar recalled to *Philly Magazine* in 2007. "I was 19. And [Tom] Cruise was one of the nicest guys in the world. Every time I've seen him since then, he's been a gentleman."

The gig kicked off a busy career for the actor, who spent the late '80s and early '90s in *Solarbabies* (1986), *Near Dark* (1987), and *Carlito's Way* (1993), among other films.

He went on to earn credits for *Mysterious Ways*, *Judging Amy*, *Desperate Housewives*, and *Heroes*, and lent his voice to *The Super Hero Squad Show* and the *Iron Man* series.

Recent small-screen gigs include 2010s episodes of *Castle*, *Political Animals*, *The Lying Game*, *Ultimate Spider-Man*, and *Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.*

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

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