Hollywood Remembers Val Kilmer: “A Brilliant Actor and a Good Man”
The film industry is mourning the loss of Val Kilmer, the revered actor who brought to life iconic roles from Iceman to Jim Morrison to Batman. Kilmer passed away at age 65 on April 1 after a long battle with throat cancer, and the tributes from across Hollywood have been powerful, emotional, and deeply personal.
Directors, actors, and collaborators from every era of his career have come forward to honor the man behind some of cinema’s most magnetic performances—remembering not just the characters he portrayed, but the complexity, artistry, and humanity he brought to every set.
Michael Mann
Mann, who directed Kilmer in Heat (1995), remembered the intensity and craft Kilmer brought to his work:
“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.”
Francis Ford Coppola
The legendary filmmaker shared a memory of Kilmer’s early promise and enduring talent:
“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.”
Ron Howard
Howard, who directed Kilmer in Willow and The Missing, celebrated the depth of his former collaborator’s artistic legacy:
“Even my own personal creative experiences reflect his awesome range as an actor… His art extended to his poetry, artworks, filmmaking and simply the way he lived. Bon Voyage, Val. And thank you.”
Josh Brolin
Posting a candid photo with Kilmer, Brolin reflected:
“See ya, pal. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those.”
Cher
Kilmer’s former partner, Cher, offered a heartfelt and playful tribute on X (formerly Twitter):
“VALUS. Will miss u, U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the a**, GREAT FRIEND, kids [heart] U. BRILLIANT as Mark Twain. BRAVE here during ur sickness.”
More Tributes from Across the Industry
Ben Stiller: “Kind and brilliant and incredibly cool. A beautiful creative artist whose work will live on.”
Josh Gad: “Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Jennifer Tilly: Recalled Kilmer’s unforgettable entrance during The Doors auditions—barefoot, shirtless, and already fully in character.
Ralph Fiennes, Matthew Modine, Kyle MacLachlan, and Lauren Holly all shared their tributes online, each remembering Kilmer’s charisma, generosity, and unparalleled talent.
Industrial Light & Magic: “From his memorable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, Val cemented himself as one of the greats.”
Author Don Winslow: “A brilliant actor and a good man.”
A Lasting Legacy
Kilmer’s career was a tapestry of bold choices and unforgettable performances. From Real Genius to Tombstone, The Saint, Top Gun, Batman Forever, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, he brought a magnetic blend of intelligence, humor, and vulnerability to every role.
His return in Top Gun: Maverick (2021) was a poignant moment for fans, with his lines recreated through AI due to the damage throat cancer had done to his voice. Still, even in silence, Kilmer’s presence commanded attention.
In 2021, the critically acclaimed documentary Val gave the world an intimate look into his life. Using hundreds of hours of personal footage and narrated by his son, the film painted a portrait of a man who never stopped creating, never stopped reflecting, and never stopped reaching.
Val Kilmer was a force of nature—on screen, on stage, and in spirit. And through the memories of those who knew and admired him, his voice continues to echo.