Val Kilmer has sadly died at the age of 65 of pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes confirmed to The New York Times.
The Hollywood legend, known for roles in the likes of Top Gun, Heat, Batman Forever and The Doors, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered, which was covered in 2021's critically-acclaimed documentary Val.
Following news of Kilmer's death, Josh Brolin was among those to pay tribute to the actor, sharing a photo of the two together on Instagram.
"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," he wrote.
Heat director Michael Mann also called Kilmer's passing "tremendously sad news", adding: "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."
Related: Top Gun: Maverick's treatment of Iceman is powerful
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Matthew Modine wrote on Twitter: "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."
"RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon," shared Josh Gad along with a photo of Kilmer in one of his most iconic roles as Iceman in Top Gun.
Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in a memorable cameo in Top Gun: Maverick which now marks his final movie role.
Related: Val Kilmer responds to his emotional Top Gun: Maverick appearance
Following the movie's release, Tom Cruise admitted he cried watching Kilmer's powerful performance in the sequel.
"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. You're looking at Iceman," he recalled.
"I was crying. I got emotional. He's such a brilliant actor, and I love his work."
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
