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.”
More to come…
Source: Variety
- Birthname
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Val Edward Kilmer
- Birthdate
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December 31, 1959
- Birthplace
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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