‘There Wasn’t Anybody Fairly Like Val Kilmer’: Hollywood Pays Tribute To Late Onscreen Icon – The Boston Courier

Associates, followers and former collaborators are paying tribute to “Top Gun” star Val Kilmer, who died Tuesday from pneumonia, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, advised The New York Instances. The performing icon, who was recognized with throat most cancers in 2014 however later recovered, was 65.

Kilmer broke into Hollywood with Eighties comedies like “Top Secret!” and “Real Genius,” however shortly turned a number one man to deal with — going toe-to-toe with Tom Cruise in 1986’s “Top Gun,” in addition to Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Michael Mann’s “Heat” (1995).

“I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character,” Mann advised The Hollywood Reporter. “After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.”

Kilmer’s braveness within the face of most cancers was chronicled within the 2021 documentary “Val.” The next 12 months, he reprised his function as Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in “Top Gun: Maverick,” permitting for a candy on-screen reunion with Cruise — in what turned Kilmer’s last movie.

His pal and fellow actor Josh Brolin shared a heartfelt tribute Tuesday on Instagram.

“Se ya, pal,” wrote Brolin. “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.”

Kilmer was one of the versatile film stars of his time: He donned cape and cowl in 1995’s “Batman Forever,” verbally out-sparred Robert Downey Jr. in “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” (2005) and inhabited the late Jim Morrison with spooky precision in 1991’s “The Doors.”

“Val Kilmer was the most talented actor when in his High School, and that talent only grew greater throughout his life,” legendary director Francis Ford Coppola wrote on Instagram. “He was a wonderful person to work with and a joy to know — I will always remember him.”

Kilmer left behind an indelible legacy; a dedicated character actor in a number one man’s physique, his movies grossed $3.8 billion worldwide. The ensuing tributes have aptly comparable vary, and are available from followers throughout generations and mourning associates who knew Kilmer personally.

“There wasn’t anyone quite like Val Kilmer,” wrote sports activities and movie commentator Invoice Simmons.