Top Gun & Batman Forever Star Val Kilmer Dead At 65 — Celebs Pay Tribute To Beloved Actor
Hollywood icon Val Kilmer has sadly passed away.
The legendary actor’s daughter Mercedes Kilmer told The New York Times the performer died of pneumonia on Tuesday at age 65. He was previously diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, but he later recovered, she confirmed. Such a very sad loss.
Val made his final film appearance in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, in which he reprised his role from the original film, naval aviator Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazanski.
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Before this Tom Cruise-led movie rocked him to fame, he was the youngest person, at the time, accepted into Juilliard School’s Drama Group, which kickstarted his career. Impressive. He was also best known for playing The Doors frontman Jim Morrison in the movie The Doors, saving the day as Batman in Batman Forever, and for many other films like Tombstone, Heat, Top Secret!, and Willow.
He was married to Joanne Whalley from 1988 to 1996 and they shared two kids, Mercedes, 33, and Jack, 29.
Val left such a big impact on the entertainment industry, and there are SO many mourning his death now — from co-stars to friends and everything in between.
Josh Brolin took to Instagram after the death was announced sharing a sweet photo of the two on a hike, 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.
#valkilmer #marktwain”
#valkilmer #marktwain”Sharing a portrait of Iceman (see HERE), Josh Gad paid his respects:
“RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon. #valkilmer”
Jennifer Tilly recalled auditioning for what would ultimately become Meg Ryan‘s role in The Doors — and being in awe when Val made a grand entrance. She wrote on X (Twitter):
“A long time ago, I was auditioning for the movie ‘The Doors’ It was kind of a cattle call. They paired together potential Jims with potential Pamela‘s. And they were running behind so we were spilling out of the casting office, sitting on the porch, the lawn, and the driveway. All of a sudden, a sixties convertible came screeching up, blaring Doors Music at top volume. And a guy jumped out and strode inside: He had wild hair and he was barefoot, shirtless, and wearing nothing but a pair of tight leather pants. We all looked at each other like… Who is this guy? We were more than a little shook by the sheer audacity of his entrance. Well of course it was Val Kilmer and from that minute on, nobody else stood a chance. Rip King.”
Hah. That’s amazing.
Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Val in Twixt, expressed on the ‘gram:
“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.”
Stranger Things star Matthew Modine tweeted:
“RIP Val Kilmer. If it wasn’t for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in FULL METAL JACKET. Thanks, Val.”
The official Top Gun Twitter account also shared:
“Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman.”
Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman. pic.twitter.com/a3jQ8ENma9
— Top Gun (@TopGunMovie) April 2, 2025
Director Michael Mann also shared on IG:
“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.”
Referencing the star’s battle with throat cancer, he added:
“After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.”
It truly is…
Other stars who have paid tribute to the beloved artist by resharing images of him in his famous roles with various broken heart and prayer hand emojis include Jason Momoa and Nina Dobrev.
Our hearts go out to Val’s loved ones. May he rest in peace.
[Image via Paramount Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures/YouTube]
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