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Home / Entertainment

Hollywood stars pay tribute to late actor Val Kilmer

Bang Showbiz
2 Apr, 2025 09:07 AM2 mins to read

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Josh Brolin paid tribute to late actor Val Kilmer, who died aged 65. Photo / Josh Brolin Instagram

Josh Brolin paid tribute to late actor Val Kilmer, who died aged 65. Photo / Josh Brolin Instagram

Hollywood stars have shared touching tributes to Top Gun actor Val Kilmer, who died aged 65.

His friend Josh Brolin referenced Kilmer’s life-long passion for author Mark Twain, who he played twice on screen and in theatre production Citizen Twain.

Brolin wrote on Instagram: “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. [alternating heart and broken heart emojis, diamond emoji] #valkilmer #marktwain (sic)”

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A post shared by Josh Brolin (@joshbrolin)

Filmmaker Michael Mann admitted the passing of his Heat actor – who died from pneumonia having previously battled throat cancer – was “tremendously sad”.

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He told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement: “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.”

The official X account for Top Gun shared a tribute to the late actor, referring to him by his character name, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, from the 1986 classic movie.

They posted: “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

Matthew Modine expressed his gratitude for the help Kilmer had given him in his career.

He posted on X: “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. [prayer and peace sign emojis] (sic)”

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. 🙏☮️ pic.twitter.com/YTMRjy78vC

— Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) April 2, 2025

Josh Gad hailed the Doors actor “an icon”.

He wrote on Instagram: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”

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A post shared by Josh Gad (@joshgad)

Secret Life of Pets screenwriter Brian Lynch reflected on Kilmer’s lengthy filmography.

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He wrote on Bluesky: “The Doors. Top Secret! Tombstone. Top Gun. Real Genius. Willow. Batman Forever. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. True Romance. Macgruber. Heat. There was nobody like Val Kilmer. May he Rest in Peace.”

A number of social media users have shared a famous scene from Heat, in which KIlmer and Ashley Judd’s characters interact for the final time.

Nobody 2 filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto added in a caption: “A masterpiece exercise in saying nothing and expressing everything. Rest in Peace truly.”

A masterpiece exercise in saying nothing and expressing everything.

Rest in Peace truly.
Val Kilmer. pic.twitter.com/B9u2d7PZt2

— Timo Tjahjanto (@Timobros) April 2, 2025
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