Francis Ford Coppola & ‘Heat’ Director Michael Mann Leads Tributes To Val Kilmer: “I Always Marvelled At The Range, The Brilliant Variability”
Billboard Women in Music 2025
Heat director Michael Mann has remembered Val Kilmer today following the actor’s death aged 65.
Mann said today: “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.”
Kilmer starred with Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore and Ashley Judd in hit 1995 film Heat, about a group of high-end professional thieves who start to feel the heat from the LAPD when they unknowingly leave a clue at their latest heist.
Kilmer‘s death was confirmed by his family to the New York Times after battling pneumonia and cancer.
The respected actor was also remembered this morning by fellow thespian Josh Brolin who posted a picture of himself with Kilmer on Instagram, noting: “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.”
In an Instagram post, Francis Ford Coppola — who worked with Kilmer on Twixt — wrote: “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.”
American Author Don Winslow wrote on X: “Rest in peace VAL KILMER. A brilliant actor and a good man.”
Industrial Light & Magic posted to Instagram Threads: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague, Val Kilmer. From his memorable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, Val cemented himself as one of the greats. He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Actor Josh Gad paid tribute on Instagram: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Kilmer’s breakout role came as LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986). That was followed by the fantasy film Willow (1988). His big break as a leading man came with his swaying, leather-clad portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors.
After his outing as The Lizard King, Kilmer opted for scene-stealing co-starring roles in Tombstone (1993), True Romance (1993) and Heat (1995). The star’s next leading role came in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever (1995), which Kilmer originally hoped would be a “radical” take on the iconic superhero. That effort ultimately failed after Kilmer realized he would spend much of the film behind a mask and encased in foam padding.
Kilmer’s career was given a poignant coda when he reprised Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). His single scene opposite Cruise proved powerful and provided an emotional center to the film.
