Famous friend and former colleagues of Val Kilmer are paying tribute to the actor, after news broke of his death yesterday at the age of 65.
Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes told The New York Times in a statement that her father died of pneumonia on Tuesday. Kilmer had battled throat cancer, which robbed him of his voice, for more than a decade.
Kilmer was also known for his roles in Top Gun, Willow, Top Secret, Real Genius, The Doors, Thunderheart, True Romance, Batman Forever, Prince of Egypt, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Top Gun: Maverick. Prime Video also released a documentary in 2021 about the Kilmer titled Val, who stepped away from Hollywood at the height of his career
Director Francis Ford Coppola posted on Instagram: “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.”
Actor Josh Brolin wrote: “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you,” Brolin wrote. “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.”
Cher – who was romantically involved in the 1980s with Kilmer and remained friends with him after their relationship ended – wrote in a post on X: “VALUS Will miss u,” actress and hitmaker. U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the a–, GREAT FRIEND, kids
U, BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness.”
Actress Jennifer Tilly posted: “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.”
Kilmer was previously married to actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 until their divorce in 1996. The former couple shared daughter Mercedes Kilmer and son Jack Kilmer.
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