Where is the Top Gun cast now? See Tom Cruise and his costars nearly 40 years after entering the ...

I feel the need… the need for an update on the cast. Where is the Top Gun cast now? See Tom Cruise and his costars nearly 40 years after entering the Danger Zone I feel the need… the need for an update on the cast. By Madeline Boardman, Madeline Boardman Madeline Boardman is a former digital features director at . She left EW in 2017. EW's editorial guidelines Kevin Jacobsen, and Ilana Gordon :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ILANAGORDONHEADSHOT80577598f8ed442cacff5de184ceb9f5.jpg) Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut.

I feel the need… the need for an update on the cast.

Where is the *Top Gun *cast now? See Tom Cruise and his costars nearly 40 years after entering the Danger Zone

I feel the need… the need for an update on the cast.

By Madeline Boardman,

Madeline Boardman

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

EW's editorial guidelines

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

March 26, 2026 7:08 p.m. ET

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Tom Cruise as Maverick, Anthony Edwards as Goose, Val Kilmer as Iceman, and Barry Tubb as Wolfman in 'Top Gun'. Credit:

Paramount/Courtesy Everett

It's been 40 years since we first heard from the pilots attending the Navy's Fighter Weapons School in San Diego. The '80s action classic *Top Gun* gifted audiences with eye-popping aerial footage, a killer soundtrack, and a homoerotic beach volleyball scene that is still discussed today. It also earned $176 million at the box office, making *Top Gun* the top movie of 1986.

The film featured a young, up-and-coming cast, many of whom found themselves on the brink of stardom. Tom Cruise was certainly emerging as an A-lister at the time, with *Top Gun* also boasting the talents of Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Tim Robbins, and Meg Ryan. Its legacy lives on with *Top Gun: Maverick*, which was released in 2022 and went on to gross almost $1.5 billion worldwide.

It's time to buzz the tower. Keep reading to catch up with the cast of *Top Gun*.

Tom Cruise (Maverick)

Tom Cruise as Maverick in 'Top Gun'; Tom Cruise at the EE British Academy Film Awards on Feb. 14, 2016. Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

A young Tom Cruise booked one of his first major roles as Maverick in *Top Gun.* The actor played the Navy lieutenant after starring in *Risky Business* in 1983 and earning credits for *Endless Love* (1981), *Taps *(1981), *The Outsiders* (1983), *All the Right Moves* (1983), and *Legend* (1985).

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."

In the years since his initial turn as *Top Gun*'s famed aviator, Cruise only became more of a star. He earned Oscar nominations for his roles 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.

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 Charlie in 'Top Gun'; Kelly McGillis at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 18, 2013. Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Tom Cruise found his *Top Gun* love interest in Kelly McGillis, who played Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood. McGillis portrayed the astrophysicist after spending a few years in the industry, picking up credits in *Reuben, Reuben* (1983) and on *One Life to Live. *She also earned Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for her performance in *Witness *(1985) before playing Charlie.

"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 Iceman in 'Top Gun'; Val Kilmer at the Broad Museum Black Tie Inaugural Dinner at the Broad on Sept. 17, 2015.

Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Jerod Harris/Getty Images

Val Kilmer joined *Top Gun* as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, another lieutenant in the Navy who butts heads with Maverick. Kilmer came into the gig with just three onscreen credits to his name: 1984's *Top Secret!*, a 1985 installment of *ABC Afterschool Specials*, and *Real Genius* in 1985.

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*. In the years since, Kilmer 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 Goose in 'Top Gun'; Anthony Edwards at the Joyful Revolution Gala on May 10, 2016.

Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection; Andrew Toth/FilmMagic

With a decade in the industry to his name, 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. Edwards, who made his onscreen debut in the '70s, appeared in *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (1982), *Heart Like a Wheel* (1983), the short-lived '80s sitcom *It Takes Two*, *Revenge of the Nerds* (1984), and *The Sure Thing* (1985).

He reprised his role as Gilbert for *Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise* in 1987, and appeared in projects like *Pet Sematary II* (1992), early '90s episodes of *Northern Exposure*, *The Client* (1994), *The Forgotten* (2004), and *Zodiac* (2007).

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 Viper in 'Top Gun'; Tom Skerritt at the Seattle International Film Festival on May 11, 2023.

CBS via Getty; Mat Hayward/Getty

Tom Skerritt made his appearance in *Top Gun* as 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, having earned previous credits for *M*A*S*H* (1970), *Fuzz *(1972), *Thieves Like Us *(1974), *The Turning Point* (1977), *Up in Smoke *(1978), *Alien* (1979), and *The Dead Zone* (1983).

Following *Top Gun*, Skerritt did a late-'80s stint on *Cheers*, earned Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy win for his turn as Jimmy Brock on *Picket Fences* in the '90s, and appeared in films like *Steel Magnolias* (1989), *A River Runs Through It *(1992), *Singles* (1992), *Contact* (1997), *The Other Sister* (1999), and *Tears of the Sun* (2003).

Skerritt had a recurring role 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), and *East of the Mountains* (2021).

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 Jester in 'Top Gun'; Michael Ironside at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Jan. 27, 2015.

Paramount Pictures; Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Michael Ironside kicked off his career in the '70s and earned early credits in *Scanners* (1981), *Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone* (1983), and *The Falcon and the Snowman* (1985), in addition to episodes of *Hill Street Blues*, *V*, and *V: The Final Battle*. He then played Rick "Jester" Heatherly in *Top Gun*, 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); *Major Payne *(1995); *Starship Troopers* (1997); *Walker, Texas Ranger*; *The Perfect Storm* (2000); *ER*; *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.

John Stockwell (Cougar)

John Stockwell as Cougar in 'Top Gun'; John Stockwell at the Venice Family Clinic Art Walk & Auctions on May 20, 2017.

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. Before becoming the airman, Stockwell appeared in *Losin' It* (1983), *Eddie and the Cruisers *(1983), *Christine* (1983), *Radioactive Dreams *(1985), *My Science Project* (1985), and episodes of *North and South*.

After *Top Gun*, Stockwell earned acclaim for his writing, 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 *Cheaters*, *Crazy/Beautiful *(2001), *Blue Crush*, *Into the Blue *(2005), *Turistas *(2006), *Middle of Nowhere* (2008), a handful of episodes of *The L Word*, and *Dark Tide* (2012). In 2018, he appeared in an episode of the mini series *Escape at Dannemora*.

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 Hollywood in 'Top Gun'; Whip Hubley at a 30th anniversary screening of 'Top Gun' on May 16, 2016.

Paramount Pictures; Michael Kovac/Getty

*Top Gun* found its "Hollywood" in Whip Hubley, who played the wingman with the real name of Rick Neven. He had a few roles before the gig, appearing in *St. Elmo's Fire* (1985), as well as episodes of *Magnum, P.I.* and *North and South*.

Hubley spent the late-'80s in TV movies, and picked up '90s credits for *Life Goes On*;* Murder, She Wrote*; *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, an associate producer at *Saturday Night Live* in the late-'80s.

Barry Tubb (Wolfman)

Barry Tubb as Wolfman in 'Top Gun'; Barry Tubb at a special screening of 'Top Gun' on Sept. 1, 2019.

Paramount Pictures; Gary Miller/Getty

Barry Tubb worked with "Hollywood" in *Top Gun* as Leonard "Wolfman" Wolfe, an officer assisting the lieutenant. Tubb began his onscreen career in the '80s, appearing in *Mask* (1985), *The Legend of Billie Jean* (1985), and episodes of *Bay City Blues*, *The Mississippi*, and *Hill Street Blues* before joining *Top Gun*.

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 Slider in 'Top Gun'; Rick Rossovich on 'Just Foolin' About with Michael Biehn'.

CBS via Getty; Just Foolin About with Michael Biehn/YouTube

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."

Rossovich came into the gig after earning previous credits for *The Lords of Discipline *(1983), *Streets of Fire* (1984), and *The Terminator* (1984), and episodes of *Fantasy Island*, *B.J. and the Bear*, and *Eight Is Enough*.

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 Merlin in 'Top Gun'; Tim Robbins at the 'Silo' season two world premiere in London on Oct. 29, 2024.

CBS via Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Tim Robbins found his spot in *Top Gun* as Samuel "Merlin" Wells, an officer who works with Maverick. Robbins joined the flick after a few years in the industry, boasting early-'80s credits in *No Small Affair *(1984), *The Sure Thing *(1985), and *Fraternity Vacation *(1985), and episodes of *St. Elsewhere*, *The Love Boat*, and *Hill Street Blues*.

Following *Top Gun*, Robbins spent the next decade starring in *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*.

Going on to star in *Nothing to Lose *(1997), *Arlington Road* (1999), *Mission to Mars *(2000), and *Antitrust* (2001), Robbins also won the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe and Oscar for 2003's *Mystic River*. In the years since, he 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 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 Sundown in 'Top Gun'; Clarence Gilyard Jr. at the 'Left Behind: The Movie' screening at the Directors Guild in Los Angeles.

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 Stinger in 'Top Gun'; James Tolkan attends Chiller Theater Expo Halloween 2025 in Parsippany, N.Y., on Oct. 26, 2025.

CBS via Getty; Bobby Bank/Getty

James Tolkan played Tom "Stinger" Jardian in *Top Gun*, a commander who oversees Maverick. The veteran actor boasted pre-*Top Gun* credits in a slew of films, including *They Might Be Giants* (1971), *The Friends of Eddie Coyle *(1973), *Serpico* (1973), *Love and Death* (1975), *The Amityville Horror* (1979), *Prince of the City *(1981), *WarGames *(1983), and *Back to the Future* (1985).

After *Top Gun*, Tolkan played Norman Keyes in a few episodes of *Remington Steele*, Mike Ragland in *The Hat Squad*, and Dallas Cassel in *Cobra*, and hit the big screen in *Armed and Dangerous *(1986), *Masters of the Universe *(1987), *Back to the Future Part II* (1989), *Family Business *(1989), *Back to the Future Part III* (1990), *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 has been married to his wife, Parmelee Welles, since 1971.

Meg Ryan (Carole)

Meg Ryan as Carole in 'Top Gun'; Meg Ryan at Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Oscars Dinner on March 14, 2026.

CBS via Getty; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

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* in the '80s.

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 co-wrote, directed, and starred in the 2023 rom-com *What Happens Later* with David Duchovny.

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

Adrian Pasdar (Chipper)

Adrian Pasdar as Chipper in 'Top Gun'; Adrian Pasdar on the red carpet at a screening for 'The Institute' on June 26, 2025.

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).

He went on to earn credits for *Mysterious Ways*, *Judging Amy*, *Desperate Housewives*, and *Heroes* in the 2000s, and lent his voice to *The Super Hero Squad Show* and the *Iron Man* series. His recent small-screen gigs include 2010s episodes of *Castle*, *Political Animals*, *The Lying Game*, *Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.*, *Ultimate Spider-Man*, *Marvel's Avengers Assemble*, 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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Published: March 27, 2026 at 01:38AM on Source: MANUEL MAG

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