Val Kilmer's co-stars Jim Carrey, Robert De Niro remember actor as a 'generational talent'
Legendary Hollywood actor Val Kilmer died Tuesday at age 65.
Known in his various roles over the decades as Iceman ("Top Gun"), Batman and Doc Holliday ("Tombstone"), Kilmer has nearly 100 film credits to his name.
"I'm remembering Val Kilmer today with great admiration for him as a man and as a generational talent who left us an enviable legacy of indelible acting performances," Jim Carrey, Kilmer's "Batman" co-star said in a statement shared with Paste BN Wednesday. "His greatest artistic achievements were rivaled only by the grace and courage with which he endured his life's most challenging moments. Wishing his family so much love."
During his appearance at CinemaCon on Thursday, "Tom Gun" co-star Tom Cruise led the audience in a moment of silence in the wake of Kilmer's death. "I really can't tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being, and how grateful and honored I was when he joined 'Top Gun' and then came back to 'Top Gun: Maverick,'" he said.
Kilmer's daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, told The New York Times and The Associated Press that the actor died from pneumonia. Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered, she said. Paste BN has reached out to Kilmer’s representatives for comment.
Soon after the news came out, his industry friends and admirers began mourning the actor.
Robert De Niro remembers Val Kilmer as 'a very special person'
In a statement shared with Paste BN on Thursday, Robert De Niro remembered his "Heat" co-star, whom he had not seen in a while.
"Val was a very special actor, as well as a very special person. Even though I had not seen him in many years, the thought of his passing makes me very sad," De Niro said.
Val Kilmer 'Top Gun,' 'Heat' movie collaborators mourn death
In a statement shared with Paste BN, Michael Mann — who directed Kilmer in 1995's "Heat" — said, "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."
Josh Brolin, who also appeared in "Heat," took to Instagram to remember Kilmer as a one-of-a-kind talent.
"See ya, pal. I'm going to miss you," Brolin wrote alongside a photo of the two. "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."
Danny Ramirez, who starred alongside Kilmer in "Top Gun: Maverick" shared a message to his Instagram story, writing, "In the brief time I spent with him on set he was nothing but kind, joyous and playful. I felt lucky to be in the same room."
"A brilliant and generous performer and one of the coolest to ever do it," Ramirez wrote, alongside a photo of Kilmer.
Josh Gad, more pay tribute to 'icon' Val Kilmer
Josh Gad also paid tribute to the "icon" on Instagram, writing, "Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood."
The social media accounts for Paramount Home Entertainment and the "Top Gun" franchise remembered one of their own in a post that read, "Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman."
Acclaimed film critic Richard Roeper paid homage to what he believed were some of Kilmer's greatest roles in several X posts.
"Val Kilmer should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for 'Tombstone' and for 'Heat. He was a brilliant presence in some of the most enduring films of his generation," Roeper wrote. "Rest well. Thank you for the incredible work."
He also paid respect to Kilmer's early years in Hollywood: "One of my favorite early Val Kilmer appearances is in 'Real Genius.' Val did something special with a typical 1980s cynical rebel/wisecracker role, giving his character a layer of big brother warmth. It’s actually kind of sweet," Roeper posted.
Edgar Wright, a longtime Hollywood actor behind films like "Hot Fuzz" and "Baby Driver," also paid tribute to Kilmer, writing on Instagram that we was "a hell of a movie star in the right role."
"Farewell Val, you burned bright," Wright wrote.
"Severance" star Adam Scott mourned the loss on Instagram with a still of Kilmer in his original "Top Gun" role accompanied by a sole red heart emoji as the caption.