- Val Kilmer died from pneumonia at the age of 65
- Michael Mann and Josh Brolin lead tributes
- Kilmer’s final Instagram post flooded with fan tributes
Val Kilmer, best known for playing Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever and Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in Top Gun, has died aged 65.
His daughter Mercedes told the media he died of pneumonia on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 which he recovered from, she also said.
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Surgery to his windpipe affected his voice and slowed his acting career, but in 2022 he returned as fighter pilot Iceman alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick. Watch a clip of Kilmer as Iceman below.
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He was one of Hollywood’s biggest actors in the 1990s. He delivered an unforgettable performance as Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991) and also starred alongside Al Pacino and Rober De Niro in Michael Mann’s epic crime drama, Heat (1995).
Stars pay tribute to actor Val Kilmer
Tributes to the late actor have poured in across social media from the acting world.
Heat director Mann said in an Instagram post, “While working with Val on Heat I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character. After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.”
Actor Josh Brolin shared a photo of himself with Kilmer on Instagram. His heartfelt tribute reads “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts. ❤️💔❤️💔❤️💔💎”.
Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Kilmer on the 2011 horror film Twixt shared an image of him with the actor on Instagram. Coppola said “Val Kilmer was the most talented actor when in his High School, and that talent only grew greater throughout his life. He was a wonderful person to work with and a joy to know — I will always remember him.”
Actor Josh Gad, posted on Instagram saying “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon. #valkilmer”.
Val Kilmer’s final Instagram post
Kilmer’s final post on Instagram only a week ago was a picture of one of his paintings. He captioned it with “It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you’re still wide awake”.
Fans have flooded the post with emotional tributes.
@mrdylanbrekke commented “This broke my heart…I will never forget when you gifted me that Batman autographed painting you gave me back in 2017 when I was a student at Long Beach City College. Thank you, Mr. Kilmer. May you rest with Jesus now. 💔💔💔”
@kidbaklava76 said “R.I.P. thank you for making my childhood so much fun with Real Genius, Thunderheart, The Ghost and the Darkness, and of course Top Gun and Batman”
@asfarasmyeyescansee added “Rest in Peace, Val. Thank you for your art, your heart, your spirit, your boldness, your depth, your humanity. Thank you for being part of my childhood into manhood. From “Real Genius” to “Top Secret” and everything in between – you are a part of my and many others fondest memories. As you played Jim Morrison I wish you love, peace and watch over those you leave behind. Thank you and break on through 🌹”.
