Hollywood stars react to iconic actor Val Kilmer’s death
Hollywood has been left reeling following the news that iconic actor Val Kilmer has tragically passed away aged 65.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hollywood has been left reeling following the sudden death of iconic actor Val Kilmer.
The legendary actor, whose final big screen appearance was in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, has tragically died at the age of 65.
Kilmer was best known for his starring roles in movies including Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever alongside Nicole Kidman, Top Gun, The Prince of Egypt and Willow.
Actor Josh Brolin rushed to Instagram to share a touching tribute to the fellow Hollywood actor, writing: “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.”
Michael Mann, who directed Kilmer alongside Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in 1995 movie Heat, said the actor possessed a “powerful current” within him.
“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,” he told Variety.
Actor Josh Gadd called Kilmer one of the “defining” actors of his childhood, writing in a post on Instagram: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Emmy-nominated TV writer and comedian Mike Drucker wrote: “Val Kilmer felt like an actor who, no matter what the material, always understood the assignment.”
Stranger Things actor Matthew Modine, who previously worked alongside Kilmer, tweeted: “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.”
Jennifer Tilly offered her memory of Kilmer on Twitter, penning: “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.”
Tilly added, “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.”
The US actor, best known for starring in Hollywood blockbuster Top Gun and its 2022 sequel, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, per the New York Times.
His daughter Mercedes Kilmer, 33, told the outlet her father died from pneumonia, a lung condition which makes breathing difficult. It is one of the most common causes of death worldwide.
Kilmer suffered health struggles over the past decade, having been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014.
Originally published as Hollywood stars react to iconic actor Val Kilmer’s death
Tension grows over Meghan and Harry’s charity drama
Meghan Markle has now been dragged into the bitter row that has embroiled Prince Harry and the boss of his Sentebale charity.
LISTEN NOW: Top songs on Joyce and Plibersek’s Spotify lists
We have asked Australia’s MPs what their top five songs are that keep them going. These are the hits Barnaby Joyce and Tanya Plibersek enjoy. Listen now.