Michael Mann, Josh Brolin, Josh Gad and Bill Simmons, were among the entertainment industry figures who paid tribute to Val Kilmer on Tuesday after news of his death was announced.
Kilmer died of pneumonia in Los Angeles, his daughter, actress Mercedes Kilmer, told The New York Times. He was 65. The actor was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015.
The much-loved and incredibly versatile actor had a diverse filmography, excelling both as a leading man (Batman Forever, The Saint, Top Secret!, Willow, The Doors) and as a scene-stealing supporting player (Tombstone, Top Gun, Kiss, Kiss, Bang Bang, Heat) in a variety of genres. Kilmer was also the subject of the 2021 documentary Val, which was is an intimate portrait of the actor that explored his battle wiht throat cancer, his artistic passions and his reflections on his career.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, filmmaker Michael Mann said, “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.”
Josh Brolin wrote on Instagram, “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. ❤️💔❤️💔❤️💔💎 #valkilmer #marktwain” The second hashtag a reference to Kilmer’s life-long passion for Mark Twain, which culminated in the actor portraying the famed writer and humorist twice on screen and in the theater production Citizen Twain.
Also on Instagram, actor Josh Gad wrote, “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
On Bluesky, Emmy-nominated TV writer and comedian Mike Drucker wrote, “Val Kilmer felt like an actor who, no matter what the material, always understood the assignment.”
Brian Lynch, the screenwriter behind Minions and Secret Life of Pets, wrote on Bluesky, “The Doors. Top Secret! Tombstone. Top Gun. Real Genius. Willow. Batman Forever. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. True Romance. Macgruber. Heat. There was nobody like Val Kilmer. May he Rest in Peace.”
Lucasfilm executive Pablo Hidalgo wrote on Bluesky, “Oh man, not Val Kilmer. His comedic chops were top notch but he had a fascinating storm roiling beneath the surface. Madmartigan was an icon.”
Ringer owner Bill Simmons tweeted, “There wasn’t anyone quite like Val Kilmer. Really enjoyed his work. RIP.”
More to come…
