Val Kilmer death latest: Jim Carrey, Nicolas Cage and Cher lead tributes to Top Gun and Batman Forever star
Hollywood actor, known for his intense performances and iconic roles, dies of pneumonia
Celebrated Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, known for his intense performances and iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and Heat, died of pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed.
The American actor, also famed for his performances in Willow, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Tombstone and as Jim Morrison in The Doors, died at the age of 65.
Kilmer rose to stardom in the 1980s and 1990s, earning a reputation for his dedication to his craft as well as on-set tensions with directors and co-stars.
“When certain people criticise me for being demanding, I think that’s a cover for something they didn’t do well,” he told the Orange County Register in 2003. “I believe I’m challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.”
His breakthrough came with the 1984 comedy Top Secret! and the sci-fi comedy Real Genius (1985), but it was his portrayal of “Iceman” in Top Gun (1986) that cemented his star status. Decades later, he reprised the role in Top Gun: Maverick (2022) alongside Tom Cruise in what would be his final film.
Kilmer also took on the challenging role of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991), using his own singing voice for the film.
He was married to British actress Joanne Whalley, his co-star in Willow (1988). The couple had two children before divorcing.
Matthew Modine recalls how a chance meeting with Kilmer led to his casting in 'Full Metal Jacket'
In tribute to Kilmer, Stranger Things star Matthew Modine shared an extract from his film memoir Full Metal Jacket Diary explaining how a chance encounter with Kilmer at The Source vegan restaurant in Los Angeles led to him landing his starring role in the Stanley Kubrick war film.
As Modine recalls, Kilmer was upset with him for always landing roles that he was also going for - that apparently included a role in Kubrick’s new movie, something Modine at the time knew nothing about. Eventually, Kubrick does send him the script.
“I wonder if that chance meeting with Val Kilmer at The Source had anything to do with what’s happening now,” he wrote. “Who knows? But thanks, Val!”
Tom Cruise ‘cried’ during emotional reunion with Val Kilmer on Top Gun: Maverick
Two years before Val Kilmer’s death, Tom Cruise revealed just how emotional his reunion with his old co-star was on the set of Top Gun: Maverick.
Kilmer, who appeared alongside Cruise in the 1986 original Top Gun, was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. After successfully undergoing chemotherapy and two tracheotomies, Kilmer spoke with the use of a voice box.
When he reunited with Cruise in Maverick, his character, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, was seen speaking through a computer due to an unspecified illness.
“I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades,” Cruise said while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2023.
Tom Cruise ‘cried’ during emotional reunion with Val Kilmer on Top Gun: Maverick
Val Kilmer claimed he didn't have a girlfriend for 20 years and was 'lonely' every day
In his 2020 memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry, Kilmer shared his relationship status with fans and admitted to being lonely.
“I haven't had a girlfriend in 20 years,” wrote the star. “The truth is I am lonely part of every day.”
“I've always found women infinitely more interesting than men. Perhaps that's why we've always gotten along. We are big oafy elephants...and they are butterflies.”
Kilmer was married to fellow Willow actor Joanne Whalley between 1988 and 1996. They had two children Mercedes and Jack.
During his life, Kilmer reportedly dated many famous women including Cher, Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie and Daryl Hannah.
Top Gun co-star Danny Ramirez calls Kilmer 'one of the coolest to ever do it'
Ramirez, who played Lt Mickey ‘Fanboy’ Garcia in Top Gun: Maverick shared a picture of Kilmer on an Instagram Story.
The actor added: “In the brief time I spent with him on set he was nothing but kind, joyous and playful. I felt lucky to be in the same room. A brilliant and generous performer and one of the coolest to ever do it.”
Val Kilmer ‘couldn’t wait to kiss Angelina Jolie’ on set after accepting film role as her husband
Val Kilmer said he "couldn't wait" to kiss Angelina Jolie on a set after accepting a film role playing her husband.
The actor made the admission in his "remarkably candid" memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry, recalling that he had been excited to work with Jolie on the 2004 film Alexander after developing a friendship with her years before.
"I was around when Angie’s mom [Marcheline Bertrand] was losing her battle with cancer," he said.
"They were living in her mom’s favourite hotel. Or maybe it was Angie’s. I happened to be staying there myself. It was meaningful and mortal and effortless and exquisite.”
Kilmer said that he told director Oliver Stone he would only accept the role of Jolie's husband in the historical film if their characters "had flashbacks to falling hard for each other and storming the castle with passion, before turning against each other".
Val Kilmer 'couldn't wait to kiss' Angelina Jolie after accepting film role as her husband
Edgar Wright: 'Farewell Val, you burned very bright'
On Threads, the Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead director wrote: “Am so very sad to hear about Val Kilmer’s passing. He was a hell of a movie star in the right role; I especially loved him in ‘Willow’, ‘The Doors’, ‘True Romance’, ‘Heat’, ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’, his beautiful documentary ‘Val’, and his last emotional scenes in ‘Top Gun Maverick’.
Of course, the film that made me first love Val was his screen debut as the rock & rolling pop-star-turned-spy Nick Rivers in the blazingly silly ‘Top Secret!’. Farewell Val, you burned very bright.”
Val Kilmer Forever: How the actor turned out to be a superhero in real life too
Kevin E G Perry looks back on the late ‘Batman Forever’ star’s idiosyncratic career and his refusal to be silenced by throat cancer.
Val Kilmer Forever: How the actor turned out to be a superhero in real life too
Cher pays tribute to 'pain in the a**' ex-boyfriend Kilmer
Cher, who dated Val Kilmer between 1982 and 1984, has called her ex a “pain in the a**” and a “great friend” in her tribute to the star.
On X/Twitter the singer wrote: “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.”
David Thewlis recalls ‘spectacularly bleak’ five months he spent with Val Kilmer
David Thewlis has recalled the “spectacularly bleak and awful” five months he spent with the ‘extraordinary” Val Kilmer.
The Harry Potter star, whose credits include Mike Leigh’s Naked and the Fargo TV series, paid tribute to Kilmer, whose death from pneumonia was announced on Wednesday (2 April).
Thewlis starred alongside Kilmer and Marlon Brando in 1996 HG Wells adaptation ofThe Island of Dr Moreau, whose production was famously troubled.
Director John Frankenheimer was brought on board a week into filming after the original director was let go and Brando refused to come to set on multiple occasions, leaving the crew in limbo.
It’s been reported that Kilmer spent his time on set bullying cast and crew, later attributing his behaviour to being served divorce papers by his ex Joanne Whalley, with whom he had two children.
Frankenheimer reportedly said: “There are two things I will never ever do in my whole life. The first is that I will never climb Mount Everest. The second is that I will never work with Val Kilmer ever again.”
Thewlis addressed his time working on the film in his tribute, writing: “I spent the most bizarre five months of my entire life with Val Kilmer, out in the Australian rainforest, on the ill-fated Island of Dr Moreau.”
David Thewlis recalls ‘spectacularly bleak’ five months he spent with Val Kilmer
Ron Howard calls Kilmer 'amazing' in heartfelt tribute to 'Willow' star
Ron Howard who worked with Kilmer on the 1988 fantasy movie Willow and the 2003 western The Missing thanked the actor in a heartfelt tribute where he also called the star “amazing”.
The Apollo 13 director wrote: “RIP ValKilmer. I was incredibly fortunate to collaborate with Val a number of times over the years. As the off beat swordsman Madmartagen in Willow, his stunning Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors and in a chilling cameo in The Missing. 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.”
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