Hollywood is paying tribute to actor Val Kilmer, who passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday evening. He was 65 years old.
Famed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Kilmer in the 2011 horror film "Twixt," honored him in a post on Instagram.
"Val Kilmer was the most talented actor when in his High School, and that talent only grew greater throughout his life," Coppola wrote. "He was a wonderful person to work with and a joy to know — I will always remember him."
Actor Christopher McDonald of "Happy Gilmore" fame honored Kilmer on X saying that "a little piece of us died" with Kilmer's passing.
"An icon that touched our lives in some way through his acting performances. He will be missed greatly. Rest easy Val," he continued.
Emmy-nominated TV writer and comedian Mike Drucker said "Val Kilmer felt like an actor who, no matter what the material, always understood the assignment," in his post to BlueSky.
Jennifer Tilly shared a story of when Kilmer arrived to audition for the role of Jim Morrison in the 1991 film "The Doors."
"A long time ago, I was auditioning for the movie 'The Doors,' it was kind of a cattle call. They paired together potential Jims with potential Pamelas. And they were running behind so we were spilling out of the casting office, sitting on the porch, the lawn, and the driveway. All of a sudden, a sixties convertible came screeching up, blaring Doors music at top volume," she wrote on X. "And a guy jumped out and strode inside: He had wild hair and he was barefoot, shirtless, and wearing nothing but a pair of tight leather pants. We all looked at each other like… Who is this guy? We were more than a little shook by the sheer audacity of his entrance. Well of course, it was Val Kilmer and from that minute on, nobody else stood a chance. RIP King."
Actor and filmmaker Matthew Modine took to X and wrote: "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."
The official X account for the "Top Gun" film honored the actor who famously played Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky.
"Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman," the account said.
Actor Josh Brolin posted a smiling photo of him alongside Kilmer on Instagram.
"See ya, pal. I'm going to miss you," he wrote in the caption. "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."
Actor and director Ron Howard wrote on X that he was "incredibly fortunate to collaborate with Val a number of times over the years. "
"As the offbeat swordsman Madmartigan in 'Willow,' his stunning Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 'The Doors' & in a chilling cameo in 'The Missing.' I list these titles because even my own personal creative experiences reflect his awesome range as an actor. Check out his filmography. Amazing. His art extended to his poetry, artworks, filmmaking and simply the way he lived. Bon Voyage, Val And thank you."
"RIP Val Kilmer," wrote actor Josh Gad in a post on Instagram. "Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon."
Michael Mann, who directed Kilmer in the 1995 film "Heat," shared a photo of Kilmer on Instagram alongside a heartfelt tribute.
"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," Mann wrote. "After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news."
Kilmer passed away on Tuesday of pneumonia. His death comes over 10 years after he was diagnosed with throat cancer, from which he later recovered.
The L.A. native is survived by his son, Jack, his daughter Mercedes.