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For starters, he played key roles in some of the most memorable films of the 1980s.
The actor would also go on to major parts inE.R.andPacific Blue.
I was like King Midas in reverse, he jokes.
It was Toms least-successful film.
But he hit paydirt withRisky Business, and now he was being launched.
I knew where he was going.
So that gave me a little glimmer of hope thatTop Guncould at least be successful.
I mean, the biggest movie in the world in 1986.
There were other phenomenal movies made that year as well.
But who could ever think something like that might happen in your career?
Thirty-five years later, its still on peoples minds, still being released.
People still use the taglines.
Tony Scott, the director, went on to have a great career in action.
He had a visual shorthand that was instantly recognizable.
You could see where that was going to go.
Working with him on the set day to day, he was just a master.
He really knew what he wanted.
It was like he waspaintingthe film.
He was so enthusiastic every day.
But this thing, it just had lifeblood pumping through it the entire time.
Hes the guy that should really be awarded for what we have still 35 years later.
I was a kid whenTop Guncame out and I remember it being a huge hit.
Some criticized it for being too jingoistic, but it also seemed to appeal beyond the typical action-movie demographic.
The volleyball scene is so iconic.
And among those four guys, you are probably the most stacked.I love the way you phrased that.
[Laughs] Yeah, heres the deal: I knew that was coming.
And I had been a bodybuilder in my late teens, early 20s in college.
I was always angling to use my physique as one of my assets in characterization.
So I knew [the volleyball scene] was coming.
I knew Id have my day.
[Anthony] Edwards, he had his corner.
Tom, of course, is completely competitive: He works out like a maniac.
And Val wanted to catch up, and he almost caught up but not quite.
Im really thankful that we had that half a day of shooting in the sand there.
I could kick sand in everyones face.
It was a lot of fun.
Theyre much bulkier, and every single muscle seems defined.
It looks fake, frankly.Yeah.
Its so weird to me, almost; its alien.
And within five or six years, by the mid-80s,everybodywas working out in a gym.
And then it just took off and became something totally different.
Its odd the way the media and the film industry and television have promoted it.
Your character, Slider, and Val Kilmers Iceman are inseparable in the movie.
Did you do anything to foster that energy?Val and I were closer than close.
Hes my sons godfather.
We were brothers in arms, and I really wanted to create that relationship of the wing man.
We had a lot of competition because there was a lot of testosterone flowing around.
Also, we didnt work every day.
Tom really carried the movie.
He was front and center all the time, but we had some time off.
But Slider and Iceman, they were the Top Gun pilots at the end of the day.
I just want to ensure thats clear.
Maverick is shooting down all those MiGs at the end, but we actually won the trophy!
Do you feel you were getting a bit typecast in himbo parts at the time, though?Yeah.
Well, I started out playing a lot of cops.
I did take a stab at do different things.
I mean, I played a devil worshipper in a thing calledThe Witching Hour.
Did you know that you were the inspiration for Kronk in DisneysThe Emperors New Groove?Um, no.
Thats … completely new information.
Are you familiar with Kronk?Just peripherally.
But thats so interesting.
I really fought tooth and nail to get that role at Paramount.
I went in and met Franc Roddam, the director.
I hadnt done anything.
It wasnt a big, splashy role.
I was on their radar and Tony Scott knew Franc Roddam.
They were buddies as kids.
But I had such fun onLords of Discipline.
I just ruled the set.
I gained 30 pounds and nobody could stop me!
I was called The Pig.
I walked around in flip-flops and camouflage pants and the leather military vest with no shirt.
Talk about being stacked!
Thats the most memorable experience of my acting life.
And it came early.
I was like King Midas in reverse.
But you know what?
Ive had a great career.
I left the industry on my own terms.
Im talking to you from Sweden.
I have a beautiful wife of 38 years whos a Swede and two children whom Ive raised as Swedes.
Ive been coming here every year since we got married.
I havent missed a summer in 26 years, and only three in 38 years.
That was always a priority.
So, I retired about 10 years ago.
Were waiting to come out of the pandemic like everyone else.
Weve been here since June of last year.
And here I am today, talking aboutTop Gun, 35 years later.
