Actor Val Kilmer was regarded as one of the most talented actors in the industry as he portrayed characters in various genres, including comedy, drama, action-adventure, crime drama, and more. He was one of the most bankable actors who rose to prominence after he played LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in 1986’s Top Gun, followed by portraying comic book character Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman Forever and more.
The actor released his memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir, in 2020, followed by a documentary titled Val in 2021. The memoir and the documentary went on to detail Kilmer’s health and career challenges over the years. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, and underwent a tracheal procedure, but his vocal cords were damaged, and he found it difficult to speak. The actor passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65. Fans, while paying their tribute, remembered him in one of the iconic roles alongside Robert Downey Jr.
Late actor Val Kilmer enjoyed improvising lines with Robert Downey Jr. in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
Directed by Shane Black, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is a neo-noir black comedy movie starring Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. The movie is partially based on Brett Halliday’s novel Bodies Are Where You Find Them. Upon release, the movie received a positive response from the critics and the audience. Kilmer’s and Downey Jr.’s performances were highly appreciated by the critics.
Recently, Val Kilmer’s unfortunate demise on April 1, 2025, pushed his fans to go back to watch some of his most celebrated work. Fans reminisce about his craft and his starring alongside Robert Downey Jr., in which Downey Jr. had to play dumb, which is the funniest thing ever. It’s not just the audience who feels this way, but during an interview with CityLife Magazine in 2005, the duo admitted that they loved working together.
Kilmer noted that he had a blast riffing with his co-star because he played dumb. He mentioned that Downey Jr. is very smart, but because he was playing dumb, he couldn’t come up with witty replies that he’s usually good at to say back to him. The duo mentioned that they often found themselves improvising lines, which was so much fun for them.
Robert Downey Jr. said at the time,
He’s Val goddamn Kilmer. He’s amazing. The stuff he came up with on the spot was great. Like when he’s supposed to tell me to put my cigarette out and I ask him where, and he just deadpans, ‘Throw it in that clump of dry bushes, you moron.’
Kilmer, on the other hand, shared that Downey Jr. is just happy because he didn’t die in the movie, adding that doing the movie was so much fun because it’s a wonderful thing to see someone as lovable as Downey Jr. make it back. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang was sort of Downey Jr.’s comeback after his epic battle with substance abuse.
Kilmer added,
It’s a finicky business. There are rules in Hollywood. You have to do certain things, even if you’ve just made a billion dollars. But, despite making some wrong choices, I think I’ve been pretty lucky in that I’m still working. I’m like Robert in that respect.
Fans appreciate the movie, as one of the users shared that Val Kilmer’s comic timing was brilliant. Especially pointing at the fact that he called Downey Jr. ‘an idiot’ in a scene.
Not only did they have great chemistry off-screen as they only had praises for each other, but they also had a great chemistry on-screen. Fans wished if there were more such roles for now late actor in his career.
Tributes poured in for Batman Forever actor Val Kilmer as he passed at the age of 65
In unfortunate news, Val Kilmer, who was best known for his work in Top Gun opposite Tom Cruise, passed away at the age of 65. Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes confirmed the news of his passing away to The New York Times, sharing that he passed away after suffering from pneumonia. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, which was later shared in 2015. She also noted that the actor had recovered from it.
Kilmer reprised his character, LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, which was also his final appearance in a movie. Tom Cruise was emotional about the brief moment they got to share on-screen and shared about it on Jimmy Kimmel Live;
I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character…he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.
Val Kilmer’s documentary Val, directed by Leo Scott and Ting Poo, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021 and received a standing ovation from the critics and audience.
His impact on the industry and his fellow co-stars was felt, and after his unfortunate demise, his colleagues shared their heartfelt tributes to the actor. Francis Ford Coppola wrote on his social media that Kilmer was a wonderful person to work with and a joy to know. Josh Brolin wrote that he was smart and challenging, brave, and uber-creative.
The Top Gun account shared a tribute for the late actor, adding that his indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations.
We send our condolences to Val Kilmer’s family and friends.
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