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.
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What characters were in the original Top Gun film?
Maverick (Pete Mitchell) – Tom Cruise
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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.”
Goose (Nick Bradshaw) – Anthony Edwards
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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
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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
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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).
Read Related Also: Natalie Portman Hated the Idea of Being a Director’s Muse
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.
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
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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
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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)
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