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Friends and Admirers Pay Tribute to Hollywood ‘Icon’ Val Kilmer

BBG News

Fellow actors, industry figures, fans, and family are mourning the death of Val Kilmer.

Kilmer died from pneumonia at age 65 on April 1, according to his daughter Mercedes. 

The renowned actor, best known for his roles in hit movies from the 80s and 90s like Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, faced a challenging health battle when he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. After undergoing two tracheotomies, he unfortunately sustained damage to his vocal cords. A moving documentary about his career and personal struggles, Val, released in 2021, offers a captivating glimpse into the life of this daring and at times strong-willed performer. The film, narrated by Kilmer’s son Jack, provides an intimate portrait of an actor who gave everything to his craft, as stated by TIME film critic Stephanie Zacharek in her review of Val.

Previously, Kilmer was often perceived as challenging to collaborate with; however, some argued that this was merely a reflection of his dedication to his artistry, which encompassed film, television, theatre, poetry, and memoir. In 1992, film critic Roger Ebert suggested that if there were an award for the most overlooked leading man of Kilmer’s generation, he deserved it.

Heartfelt tributes from fellow actors, industry peers, and enthusiasts have been shared following the announcement of Kilmer’s passing.

Goodbye for now, friend. I’ll surely miss you. You were intelligent, stimulating, courageous, and an extraordinary spark of creativity. There isn’t much left of those qualities now. I hope to meet you again in the skies above when my time comes. Until then, I’ll cherish the wonderful memories and kind thoughts.

Following numerous years of Val’s courageous fight against illness and preservation of his spirit, it is incredibly disheartening to hear this news, shared Michael Mann, the filmmaker who worked with Kilmer in the 1995 action movie “Heat”. He often admired the diversity, the remarkable versatility found within the deep, dynamic flow of Val’s ability to embody and portray his characters.

The official Top Gun movie account on X paid tribute to Val Kilmer, whose memorable screen presence transcended various film genres and touched multiple generations. Farewell, Iceman.

Industrial Light & Magic, the visual effects studio known for their work on the 1988 film “Willow” featuring Val Kilmer as Madmartigan, posted a picture of him on Threads. They expressed their sorrow over his passing, stating, “We are deeply saddened to learn that our friend and collaborator, Val Kilmer, has passed away. His unforgettable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison have solidified him as a legend. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

Pablo Hidalgo from Lucasfilm commented on BlueSky, “Wow, not Val Kilmer! He was incredibly skilled in comedy, yet there was a captivating tempest brewing underneath his calm exterior.

Author Don Winslow called Kilmer a “brilliant actor and a good man” in a tribute on X. 

Film critic Richard Roeper stated that Kilmer should have been nominated for his performances in the films “Heat” and the 1993 western “Tombstone.” He added, “He was a brilliant figure in some of the most lasting films of his era. Rest in peace. Thank you for your incredible contributions.” Roeper shared this on platform X.

On X, Bill Simmons, creator of sports and pop culture site The Ringer, expressed, “Val Kilmer was truly unique. I appreciated his performances. Farewell.

As a nostalgic film enthusiast, I must express my heartfelt gratitude for illuminating numerous films from my cherished childhood memories. Indeed, you stood out as a cinematic legend.

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2025-04-02 11:06

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