Michael Mann, Josh Brolin, and More Pay Tribute to Val Kilmer – ryan
Hollywood is mourning today following the death of the much-loved and celebrated actor Val Kilmer. The star, known for his iconic performances in Batman Forever, Top Gun, and Heat (to name but a few), died on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, aged 65, from pneumonia. Tributes immediately started to pour in for Kilmer once the news of his death was announced, with Michael Mann and Josh Brolin among the top entertainment industry figures paying their respects. They reflected on the unique qualities the late actor possessed that shone through the various roles he brought to the screen during his diverse acting career.
Filmmaker Michael Mann, who famously directed Kilmer alongside fellow Hollywood heavyweights Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Jon Voight in the critically acclaimed 1995 crime-thriller Heat, remembered Kilmer for his “range” and “brilliant variability” as an actor. He said in a statement, per Variety:
“While working with Val on Heat I always marveled 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.”
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Val Kilmer passed away on April 1, 2025, and we’re celebrating him with a look at his 15 best movies.
Kilmer’s friend and fellow actor Josh Brolin shared a throwback photo on Instagram, providing a snapshot of happier times. The No Country for Old Men star referenced his “amazing memories” with Kilmer in the caption, writing, “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.” The post included a mix of heart and heartbroken emojis alongside a hashtag acknowledging Kilmer’s deep-seated interest in the author and humorist Mark Twain.
The social media accounts for Paramount Movies and the Top Gun franchise gave a final salute and sendoff to Kilmer, remembering his beloved role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, starring opposite Tom Cruise in the 1986 film Top Gun and its 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, which was the actor’s last big-screen appearance. The post on X/Twitter featured a photo of Kilmer in uniform as the heroic character, with a message that read, “Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman.”
“Val Cemented Himself as One of the Greats”
The remembrances continued courtesy of the esteemed visual effects studio Industrial Light & Magic, which honored Kilmer with a post on its official Instagram and Threads accounts. The tribute included an image of Kilmer as the charmingly offbeat mercenary and swordsman Madmartigan in the 1988 fantasy adventure film Willow (for which ILM created the visual effects and animation sequences) in a post that read, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague, Val Kilmer. From his memorable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, Val cemented himself as one of the greats. He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Another touching tribute came from the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Kilmer in the gothic horror film Twixt, which also had a director’s cut titled B’Twixt Now and Sunrise. Coppola posted a photo from the set of the 2011 movie on Instagram, writing in the caption, “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.”
Josh Gad, best known for voicing Olaf in Disney’s Frozen franchise, as well as for his live-action roles in Beauty and the Beast and Murder on the Orient Express, also posted on Instagram to remember Kilmer. He shared a black-and-white image of the late star as the effortlessly cool “Iceman” in Top Gun. In the caption, he summed up his thoughts in just a few words, writing, “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Kilmer starred in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s and 90s, not least of which included Top Gun. He played Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever, channeled Jim Morrison in The Doors, and stepped out as Doc Holliday in Tombstone. Kilmer’s other acting credits are just as notable, with him having also had roles across a large mix of genres, starring in the likes of Willow, The Saint, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Top Secret!, and, of course, Heat, which is widely regarded as one of the most influential crime dramas in the history of cinema — so anyone looking to revisit some of Kilmer’s greats will not be short of options, as the actor leaves behind an indelible legacy with his vast body of work.
Source: Variety
Val Kilmer
- Birthname
-
Val Edward Kilmer
- Birthdate
-
December 31, 1959
- Birthplace
-
Los Angeles, California, USA
Bio
Val Edward Kilmer born December 31 1959 is an American actor Originally a stage actor Kilmer became popular in the mid 1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films starting with Top Secret 1984 then the cult classic Real Genius 1985 as well as blockbuster action films including a role in Top Gun and a lead role in Willow During the 1990s Kilmer gained critical respect after a series of films that were also commercially successful including his roles as Jim Morrison in The Doors Doc Holliday in 1993 s Tombstone Batman in 1995 s Batman Forever Chris Shiherlis in 1995 s Heat and Simon Templar in 1997 s The Saint During the early 2000s Kilmer appeared in several well received roles including The Salton Sea Spartan and supporting performances in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Alexander and as the voice of KITT in Knight Rider
Hollywood is mourning today following the death of the much-loved and celebrated actor Val Kilmer. The star, known for his iconic performances in Batman Forever, Top Gun, and Heat (to name but a few), died on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, aged 65, from pneumonia. Tributes immediately started to pour in for Kilmer once the news of his death was announced, with Michael Mann and Josh Brolin among the top entertainment industry figures paying their respects. They reflected on the unique qualities the late actor possessed that shone through the various roles he brought to the screen during his diverse acting career.
Filmmaker Michael Mann, who famously directed Kilmer alongside fellow Hollywood heavyweights Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Jon Voight in the critically acclaimed 1995 crime-thriller Heat, remembered Kilmer for his “range” and “brilliant variability” as an actor. He said in a statement, per Variety:
“While working with Val on Heat I always marveled 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.”
Related
These Are the Late Val Kilmer’s 15 Best Movies
Val Kilmer passed away on April 1, 2025, and we’re celebrating him with a look at his 15 best movies.
Kilmer’s friend and fellow actor Josh Brolin shared a throwback photo on Instagram, providing a snapshot of happier times. The No Country for Old Men star referenced his “amazing memories” with Kilmer in the caption, writing, “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.” The post included a mix of heart and heartbroken emojis alongside a hashtag acknowledging Kilmer’s deep-seated interest in the author and humorist Mark Twain.
The social media accounts for Paramount Movies and the Top Gun franchise gave a final salute and sendoff to Kilmer, remembering his beloved role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, starring opposite Tom Cruise in the 1986 film Top Gun and its 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, which was the actor’s last big-screen appearance. The post on X/Twitter featured a photo of Kilmer in uniform as the heroic character, with a message that read, “Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman.”
“Val Cemented Himself as One of the Greats”
The remembrances continued courtesy of the esteemed visual effects studio Industrial Light & Magic, which honored Kilmer with a post on its official Instagram and Threads accounts. The tribute included an image of Kilmer as the charmingly offbeat mercenary and swordsman Madmartigan in the 1988 fantasy adventure film Willow (for which ILM created the visual effects and animation sequences) in a post that read, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague, Val Kilmer. From his memorable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, Val cemented himself as one of the greats. He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Another touching tribute came from the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Kilmer in the gothic horror film Twixt, which also had a director’s cut titled B’Twixt Now and Sunrise. Coppola posted a photo from the set of the 2011 movie on Instagram, writing in the caption, “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.”
Josh Gad, best known for voicing Olaf in Disney’s Frozen franchise, as well as for his live-action roles in Beauty and the Beast and Murder on the Orient Express, also posted on Instagram to remember Kilmer. He shared a black-and-white image of the late star as the effortlessly cool “Iceman” in Top Gun. In the caption, he summed up his thoughts in just a few words, writing, “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Kilmer starred in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s and 90s, not least of which included Top Gun. He played Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever, channeled Jim Morrison in The Doors, and stepped out as Doc Holliday in Tombstone. Kilmer’s other acting credits are just as notable, with him having also had roles across a large mix of genres, starring in the likes of Willow, The Saint, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Top Secret!, and, of course, Heat, which is widely regarded as one of the most influential crime dramas in the history of cinema — so anyone looking to revisit some of Kilmer’s greats will not be short of options, as the actor leaves behind an indelible legacy with his vast body of work.
Source: Variety
Val Kilmer
- Birthname
-
Val Edward Kilmer
- Birthdate
-
December 31, 1959
- Birthplace
-
Los Angeles, California, USA
Bio
Val Edward Kilmer born December 31 1959 is an American actor Originally a stage actor Kilmer became popular in the mid 1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films starting with Top Secret 1984 then the cult classic Real Genius 1985 as well as blockbuster action films including a role in Top Gun and a lead role in Willow During the 1990s Kilmer gained critical respect after a series of films that were also commercially successful including his roles as Jim Morrison in The Doors Doc Holliday in 1993 s Tombstone Batman in 1995 s Batman Forever Chris Shiherlis in 1995 s Heat and Simon Templar in 1997 s The Saint During the early 2000s Kilmer appeared in several well received roles including The Salton Sea Spartan and supporting performances in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Alexander and as the voice of KITT in Knight Rider