Val Kilmer, star of films including Top Gun and Batman, has died at the age of 65.
The legendary US actor rose to fame after starring as Iceman in the 1986 Tom Cruise action film and later played Batman in 1995’s Batman Forever.
His daughter Mercedes said Kilmer had died from pneumonia in a statement to the New York Times.
Hollywood stars have paid tribute to Kilmer, including The Goonies and No Country for Old Men actor Josh Brolin.
In an Instagram post, the 57-year-old actor said he would miss his ‘pal.’
‘You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,’ Brolin wrote.
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‘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.’
Kilmer’s ex partner Cher – who he dated for two years in the 1980s – also paid tribute on X, writing: ‘VALUS Will miss u. U were funny, crazy, pain in the ass, GREAT FRIEND, kids love U, BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness.’
Frozen star Josh Gad shared on Instagram: ‘RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.’
Hollywood director Ron Howard reflected on Val Kilmer’s ‘amazing’ filmography and ‘awesome range’ as he paid tribute to the actor.
‘I was incredibly fortunate to collaborate with Val a number of times over the years,’ Howard posted to X.
‘As the off beat swordsman (Madmartigan) in #Willow, his stunning #JimMorrison in Oliver Stone’s #TheDoors (and) in a chilling cameo in #TheMissing.
‘I list these titles because even my own personal creative experiences reflect his awesome range as an actor. Check out his filmography. Amazing.
‘His art extended to his poetry, artworks, filmmaking and simply the way he lived. Bon Voyage, Val and thank you.’
Film director Michael Mann wrote in as post on Instagram: ‘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.’
Kilmer’s breakout role was in Top Gun, which grossed over $344,000,000 (£263 million) and made him a Hollywood star.
He had previously declined roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Outsiders and David Lynch’s Blue Velvet.
After Top Gun, he was cast in TV films, including The Murders in the Rue Morgue, before portraying Madmartigan in the cult fantasy movie Willow, which also starred Warwick Davis.
In the 90s, Kilmer starred as US frontman Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s film The Doors. The year before filming, Kilmer dressed in Morrison-like clothes and spent time at his hangouts on the Sunset Strip in LA.
He also starred in mystery thriller Thunderheart, action comedy The Real McCoy and teamed up with Top Gun director Tony Scott to play Elvis Presley in True Romance.
In 1995, Kilmer performed opposite Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat, which is considered one of the greatest crime films of all time.
That same year, the Hollywood legend appeared in Batman Forever alongside Nicole Kidman, replacing Michael Keaton. However, he decided against returning for a second film, with the role going to George Clooney.
His other credits in the 90s include The Ghost and the Darkness alongside Marlon Brando, popular action film The Saint and what he described as his most complex role as blind man Virgil in At First Sight.
Val Kilmer's 7 best film roles
Top Gun (1986) – Iceman
Willow (1988) – Madmartigan
The Doors (1991) – Jim Morrison
Tombstone (1993) – Doc Holliday
Heat (1995) – Chris Shiherlis
Batman Forever (1995) – Bruce Wayne/Batman
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) – “Gay” Perry van Shrike
Kilmer’s first role in 2000 was the big budget science fiction action film Red Planet, which was a flop.
He went on to star in movies including thriller Mindhunters and action-comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang with Robert Downey Jr.
More recently, in August 2020, Kilmer shared the screen with his daughter, Mercedes, for the first time in Paydirt.
His final acting role was a cameo in the 2022 blockbuster sequel Top Gun: Maverick.
‘I just want to say that was pretty emotional,’ Cruise told Jimmy Kimmel in 2023 about the cameo.
‘I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.’
Kilmer had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, discussing his diagnosis and recovery in his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry and Amazon Prime Documentary Val.
He underwent both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as a tracheostomy, which damaged his vocal cords.
‘I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel,’ Kilmer said in the documentary.
‘I can’t speak without plugging this hole (in his throat). You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat.
‘It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.’
Kilmer married Joan Whalley in 1988, who he met while working on the film Willow.
The couple had two children – Jack and Mercedes – before divorcing in 1996.
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