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Everything you need to know about the original Top Gun cast...

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Everything you need to know about the original Top Gun cast...
Everything you need to know about the original Top Gun cast...

TOP Gun is one of the most iconic 80s films filled with romance, drama and action.

Here's a look at what the original characters and cast are up to now.

 The original film came out in 1986 eiqrhiqqdiqkprw
The original film came out in 1986

What characters were in the original Top Gun film?

Maverick (Pete Mitchell) - Tom Cruise

 Tom Cruise became a Hollywood star after his lead role as Maverick in Top Gun
Tom Cruise became a Hollywood star after his lead role as Maverick in Top Gun

Tom Cruise played cocky fighter pilot Maverick and went on to star in hits including Rain Man, Jerry Maguire and the Mission: Impossible series.

He also reprised his role in the sequel Top Gun: Maverick.

On May 31, 2018, he started filming for the new movie and tweeted a photo captioned #Day 1 with the iconic quote "Feel the need."

Are there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to ThomasAre there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to Thomas

Goose (Nick Bradshaw) - Anthony Edwards

 Goose (Anthony Edwards) died in Top Gun after ejecting from his plane
Goose (Anthony Edwards) died in Top Gun after ejecting from his planeCredit: Alamy

Anthony Edwards played Maverick's co-pilot Goose.

He died in training after ejecting from his plane and hitting the aircraft canopy head first.

A board of enquiry cleared Maverick of responsibility for his death but the heavy burden of guilt causes him to temporarily quit Top Gun.

Charlie Blackwood - Kelly McGillis

 Kelly McGillis became a household name after her role as Charlie but left acting after Top Gun
Kelly McGillis became a household name after her role as Charlie but left acting after Top GunCredit: Alamy

Kelly McGillis played Charlie Blackwood - the flight instructor with a PHD who fell for Maverick.

After the film she moved to Key West, Florida, with her husband and opened the restaurant Kelly’s - she has two daughters, Kelsey and Sonora.

She only starred in a few films afterwards including Rob Reiner's comedy North.

Carole Bradshaw - Meg Ryan

 Meg Ryan (centre) played Goose's wife in the original Top Gun
Meg Ryan (centre) played Goose's wife in the original Top GunCredit: Alamy

Meg Ryan played Goose's wife - and later widow.

She went on to star in the hit romcoms When Harry Met Sally (1989) and Sleepless In Seattle (1993).

Her last film role was in the 2015 drama Ithaca which she also directed.

Iceman (Tom Kazansky) - Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer played Iceman - Maverick's nemesis turned wingman.

All about Rachel Nickell who was murdered in front of her son Alex HanscombeAll about Rachel Nickell who was murdered in front of her son Alex Hanscombe

Val was thought to be unlikely to return for the sequel considering his  battle with throat cancer but he did reprise his role.

Viper (Mike Metcalf) - Tom Skerritt

 Tom Skerritt starred as Viper in Top Gun
Tom Skerritt starred as Viper in Top GunCredit: Alamy

Tom Skerritt played Viper - a strict instructor and old friend of Maverick's father Duke.

He served with Duke in Vietnam and tells Maverick the truth about his death - that he refused to disengage and sacrificed himself to save the lives of three pilots.

Wolfman (Leonard Wolfe) - Barry Tubb

 Wolfman (Barry Tubb), left, and Hollywood (Whip Hubley), right in Top Gun
Wolfman (Barry Tubb), left, and Hollywood (Whip Hubley), right in Top GunCredit: Alamy

Barry Tubb played Wolfman - one of Maverick's fellow pilots at Top Gun.

He played a pivotal role in the film by informing Charlie that Maverick had quit Top Gun following Goose's death- and she persuades him to come back.

Barry most recently starred in the 2014 American Civil War western Deliverance Creek.

Who else was in the original cast of Top Gun?

Michael Ironside as Jester (Rick Heatherly)

John Stockwell  as Cougar (Bill Cortell)

Rick Rossovich  as Slider (Ron Kerner)

Tim Robbins  as Merlin (Sam Wells)

Clarence Gilyard Jr.  as Sundown (Marcus Williams)

Whip Hubley  as Hollywood (Rick Neven)

Tames Tolkan as Stinger (Tom Jardian)

Adrian Pasdar as Chipper (Charles Piper)

Kathy Giddins

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