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Exploring The Misfits At The Heart Of Guy Ritchie’s Snatch ( Photo Credit – Amazon Prime Video )

Guy Ritchie never really hit the brakes. He’s been working so steadily, it’s almost easy to forget how jarring and electric his early films felt. When most crime thrillers were still echoing the Quentin Tarantino boom of the 90s—full of pop-culture chatter, and over-the-top gore, Ritchie came swinging with his own distinctly British chaos.

The London underworld had been explored before, but not quite like this. His stories weren’t just blood-soaked or cheeky. They were riddled with misdirection and a kind of street-smart slapstick. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels got his foot in the door, but Snatch cemented his place as a master of mayhem with a pen dipped in grit and wit.

Meet Turkish & Tommy

Snatch doesn’t really care about leading men or tidy resolutions. It throws together a patchwork of thugs,...

Chicago – Val Kilmer passed away on April 1st, 2025, after a long illness. He was once praised by Roger Ebert, “if there is an award for most unsung leading man of his generation, Val Kilmer should get it.” Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com took an Exclusive Portrait of Val Kilmer in 2012.

Val Edward Kilmer was born in Los Angeles. He subsequently became the youngest person in his era to be accepted into the Julliard School’s Drama Division. His first major film role was in the cult classic “Top Secret!” (1984), which paved the way to his next phase of breakout starring roles.

Val Kilmer in Chicago, circa 2012

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

He followed his debut with the beloved comedy “Real Genius,” then his notable turn in “Top Gun” (and later an unforgettable appearance in “Top Gun Maverick” in 2022 for his last role). These films...

Beloved actor Val Kilmer passed away on Apr. 1, just over three months after turning 65 years old. Now, his official cause of death has been revealed.

Per TMZ, Kilmer's cause of death was divulged on his death certificate, which the Los Angeles County Department of Health has released. Kilmer's immediate cause of death is listed as pneumonia, with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, chronic respiratory failure, and squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue named as underlying causes. Malnutrition and a tracheocutaneous fistula were listed as other factors contributing to his death. The official cause of death aligns with what Kilmer's daughter told The New York Times following his passing, having shared that her father had been battling pneumonia.

Kilmer had previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015. The actor's subsequent health struggles had been chronicled in the documentary Val, released in 2021, and in his memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir,...

Val Kilmer died from pneumonia, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health has confirmed. The veteran actor died April 1 in L.A. at age 65.

TMZ posted an image of Kilmer’s death certificate today. The beloved screen star was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent two tracheotomy procedures but had recovered.

The Juilliard-trained Kilmer amassed more than 100 credits during his 40-year career, mostly on the big screen. He broke out with his first movie, 1984’s Cold War romp Top Secret! from the Airplane! crew of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker, and shot to stardom with his second, the techie teen comedy Real Genius.

Related: Tom Cruise Admits To Tears When Working Once Again With Val Kilmer On ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Kilmer followed that up with his first smash movie, starring as Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in 1984’s Top Gun. He reprised the role for 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick,...

This week, we are pleased to introduce Rushes Extra, a new series of reported pieces that go beyond the headlines to take a closer look at developing stories from throughout the film world. In this first installment, Vikram Murthi reports from the picket lines of the New York cinema workers strike at Alamo Drafthouse.Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. To keep up with our latest features, sign up for the Weekly Edit newsletter and follow us @mubinotebook on Twitter and Instagram.NEWSFerris Bueller’s Day Off.Chinese authorities are reportedly considering “reducing or banning the import of US films” in response to President Trump’s global tariffs. Though US studio earnings in China have decreased as the country has invested in their own film industry, losing access to the world’s second-largest film market would be a major blow to the American film industry.The...

The world of cinema suffered a huge loss when legendary actor Val Kilmer passed away at the age of 65, leaving behind a glorious legacy. His portrayal in the ’90s blockbuster Top Gun (1986) as ‘Iceman ‘ cemented him as a Hollywood heartthrob, while his turn as ‘Batman’ in Batman Forever (1995) added another star to his resume.

Val Kilmer as Perry van Shrike in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

Hollywood mourned and celebrated Kilmer’s legacy, each having their own piece to share about the gifted artist. James Roday Rodriguez, the beloved star of Psych, could not help but share how Kilmer influenced the iconic character of Shawn Spencer.

Kilmer’s influence on Psych stemmed from his role as Chris Knight, a character Rodriguez credits as the spiritual blueprint for Shawn Spencer.

James Roday Rodrigue’s tribute to Val Kilmer James Roday Rodriguez on Val Kilmer’s influence/ Credits: Gage Skidmore...

The passing of Val Kilmer is a great loss for the world of cinema. While cancer took away his voice many years ago, it’s hard to look at the 90s without seeing his massive impact. Just look at all the tributes that his colleagues have made for him. He was clearly a very special person. It’s always tough when any iconic actor passes away, as their long and storied careers are a presence in our lives, giving us a seemingly deep connection. We get to know them through their craft and attach to their roles. And there are few actors I’ve attached to more than Mr. Val Kilmer.

From the smarts and coolness of Chris Knight, to the quick-witted Gay Perry, all the way to what may be one of the greatest characters in all of cinema in Doc Holliday. Kilmer just knew how to give us intriguing performances,...

A character actor, Val Kilmer was also a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. Famous for his ability to blend into any role, he made a name for himself in genres that spanned action, drama, and even comedy. From playing the cocky fighter pilot Iceman in Top Gun to the gun-slinging Doc Holliday in Tombstone, he had a plethora of projects that solidified his place as a talented figure in the movie business.

It was in the ’80s that his acting career took off with iconic roles in Real Genius and Willow. This continued throughout the ’90s, and in 1995, he got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play the Caped Crusader in Batman Forever. He took over the role after the departure of Michael Keaton, leading a high-budget spectacle that thrilled the fans and made some serious money at the box office.

Val Kilmer in Batman Forever | Credits: Warner Bros.

But...

Movie stardom rarely occurs overnight. Yes, there is typically a film where the star "arrives," but this performance usually comes after a series of supporting turns in movies or TV shows where they've swiped a scene or two. Eddie Murphy rocketed to fame via "48 Hrs.," but this came as no surprise to anyone who'd been watching him kill it on "Saturday Night Live." It might've felt like Peter O'Toole exploded out of nowhere in "Lawrence of Arabia," but his portrayal of a too-credulous guard in "The Day They Robbed the Bank of England" put moviegoers on notice that he was a special talent. And Julia Roberts popped in ensemble films like "Satisfaction" and "Mystic Pizza" before becoming America's sweetheart in "Pretty Woman."

When I rolled out of bed on the morning of June 22, 1984, Val Kilmer did not exist. When I came home from the movies that night, he was one...

Val Kilmer was a truly unique actor, movie star, and personality, as his uncompromising approach to the craft of acting resulted in a great deal of versatility. Although Kilmer emerged as a heartthrob when his performance in “Real Genius” (1985) came at the tail end of the “Brat Pack” era, he quickly began showing signs of greater ambition, as he would often challenge himself with dramatic physical and emotional transformations. Kilmer was incredibly well read and cared deeply about the history of storytelling. As a former theater star, he dedicated a good portion of his career to the works of Mark Twain.

Kilmer’s health struggles resulted in him taking a backseat from the spotlight in recent years, but that doesn’t mean that he failed to keep working. The powerful 2021 documentary “Val” offered an intimate look at his life and career, examining how he was at odds with the perception attached to him.

As Rolling Stone noted in our 10 Essential Movies list, Val Kilmer was a “Juilliard graduate, a movie star, an actor who could play anything from fantasy heroes to flyboy villains, bank robbers to superheroes, dashing lead roles or demented sidekicks — Val Kilmer was all of these things, and way, way more.”

But before any of those roles, there was Chris Knight, Kilmer’s endlessly wisecracking character in 1985’s Real Genius. Playing the role as a combination of Will Hunting meets Bluto Blutarsky, Kilmer infuses Knight, who leads a bunch of...

It seems odd to refer to 1988's "Willow" as "the Willow movie," but that's because every nostalgic intellectual property is ripe for refreshing in the modern franchise era, and "Willow" finally got a sequel streaming series on Disney+, also called "Willow." Over 30 years passed between the two, and that's a lot of time for actors to change or even pass away. Warwick Davis' passion for his biggest lead role without special effects makeup never waned, and his enthusiasm is palpable still as he struggles to get the series reclaimed from the Disney vault into which it quickly vanished (and we know the annoying reason why).

The original movie, written by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, was an attempt to do for fantasy what "Star Wars" had done for science fiction, and it even featured groundbreaking special effects, like the first use of digital morphing. It was a box office disappointment in its day,...

Val Kilmer was often underrated as an actor, despite his prolific career spanning films like Real Genius, Top Gun, True Romance, and more. As Robert Ebert famously described him, he was the most unsung leading man of his generation, a legend whom we now mourn.

While the world recalls his legacy of being ‘hard to work with,’ here is an instance from behind the scenes of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang that showcases what a man he was behind the scenes. Apparently, as an act of solidarity for his co-star Robert Downey Jr., Kilmer did not drink during the film’s production, a profound act of friendship and a testament to Kilmer’s character that one should not forget.

Val Kilmer in Batman Forever | Credits: Warner Bros. Val Kilmer’s profound act of friendship for Robert Downey Jr. Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang | Credit: Warner Bros.

It was the fall of 1983, and my brother, Jerry, Jim Abrahams and I were frustrated at the difficulty of casting the lead for our movie, Top Secret!.

We auditioned actor after actor with no success. Then our casting director, Susie Arnold, came across a young actor appearing in an off-Broadway play called Slab Boys. So we all got on a plane to New York and saw Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn and an obscure young actor named Val Kilmer. I don’t recall much about the play, but he looked good and appeared to be able to act, so the next day we had him come up to our offices on the 17th floor of the then-Gulf & Western building on Central Park South for an audition.

His reading was spot-on, but when he broke into an impromptu rendition of Elvis’ “Turn Me Loose,” we knew we had our star. He made us laugh,...

It’s not hard to imagine a topsy-turvy, role-swapping alternate reality where Val Kilmer plays Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in 1986’s Top Gun and Tom Cruise is cast as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. Kilmer’s Maverick would be cocky but also raw, exposed. Good at what he does but a desperate wreck at everything else. Kilmer’s specialty was giving the audience glimpses of intellect and compassion behind his steely gaze.

Cruise, on the other hand, could never have pulled off Iceman. Cruise was too much his lead character: an immature hotshot with a shit-eating grin.

Val Kilmer, the versatile and intense actor known for his iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors, died on Tuesday night in Los Angeles at 65, surrounded by family and friends. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that he died from pneumonia following a decade-long battle with throat cancer.

In 2019, uInterview captured exclusive footage of Kilmer talking about his health challenges at the Novus Conference.

Kilmer’s career was marked by dedication to his craft, and he often immersed himself deeply into his roles. He first gained recognition in the 1980s with standout performances in Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985). However, his role as Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun (1986) catapulted him to fame. His confident portrayal opposite Tom Cruise made him a fan favorite, and he later reprised the role in Top Gun: Maverick (2022).

In 1991, Kilmer took on the demanding role of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors,...

The late Val Kilmer had a couple of Disney connections fans may have forgotten about!

It’s always sad when a major star passes away at a seemingly too young age. Val Kilmer may have fallen from his 1990s limelight, but it was still jarring to his many fans to hear the actor had passed away at the age of 65 on April 1 after a long battle with throat cancer and pneumonia.

The actor debuted in the 1984 cult comedy Top Secret! That led to turns in Real Genius before his star-making role as Iceman in the 1986 smash Top Gun. After that, Kilmer was a much-in-demand actor starring in numerous hits, including a turn as the Caped Crusader in Batman Forever as well as Heat, The Saint, The Ghost, and the Darkness, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and more.

Kilmer was, by his own admission, a temperamental man who could cause some messes on set.

Val Kilmer’s career was a journey marked by iconic roles and memorable performances. From his breakthrough in “Top Gun” to his return in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kilmer’s career spanned over four decades and left an indelible mark on the film industry. His versatility as an actor allowed him to take on a wide range of roles, each showcasing his unique talent and dedication to his craft.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Val Kilmer’s early career began with appearances in films such as “Top Secret!” (1984) and “Real Genius” (1985). His breakthrough came in 1986 with the blockbuster “Top Gun,” where he played the role of Iceman, an arrogant yet skilled fighter pilot. Kilmer’s on-screen chemistry with Tom Cruise and his ability to bring depth to a seemingly one-dimensional character showcased his talent as an actor. The film’s success opened many doors for Kilmer, and he quickly became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors.

Many film fans and Hollywood peers have taken to social media to pay tribute to their favorite wingman. Val Kilmer is encapsulated in pop culture as Iceman from Top Gun, but his incredible body of work exceeded to some notable performances, which includes the monumental task of portraying Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors. Deadline reports that Nicolas Cage, who worked with Kilmer on Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, remembered him fondly and praised his turn in The Doors, “I always liked Val and am sad to hear of his passing. I thought he was a genius actor. I enjoyed working with him on Bad Lieutenant, and I admired his commitment and sense of humor. He should have won the Oscar for The Doors.”

Val would also hold his own up against Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in Heat. Director Michael Man would also pay tribute by saying,...

The 1980s marked the return of a lot of things. They were called “the greed decade,” which really meant that materialism was coming back with a vengeance. So was a new kind of traditionalism. We were going back to the future. And that required a new kind of movie star. He needed a certain vibe: clean and handsome and a bit square. He had to look like he could fit into a 1950s frat house. Tom Cruise, who became the biggest star of his time, was that to a T. And so, in a slightly shaggier way, was his rival and compatriot in “Top Gun,” Val Kilmer.

Kilmer was a classic camera object in an old-fashioned way. He had a sensual scowl and burning eyes that were very Brando. In “Top Gun,” where he played Iceman, whose job was to bust the chops of Cruise’s Maverick, he was like a malevolent beach bum,...

Val Kilmer's death at the age of 65 has been met with an outpouring of love and heartfelt tributes across social media from devoted fans of the prolific actor and his vast body of work. The star, famed for his versatile roles in the likes of Batman Forever, Top Gun, and Heat, among many, many others, died on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from pneumonia. In the hours that followed the announcement, movie enthusiasts came together online to mourn the loss of a Hollywood great and remember some of his most iconic cinematic performances.

Kilmer made his feature debut in the 1984 spy spoof Top Secret!, in which he starred as rock and roll singer Nick Rivers, but that was only the beginning of his acting career on screen. He went on to star in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s and 90s, including playing Bruce Wayne and his superhero alter ego in Batman Forever,...

Val Kilmer, the actor famous for taking on Tom Cruise in Top Gun, the Riddler in Batman Forever and Johnny Ringo in Tombstone, passed away on Tuesday at age 65. But before Kilmer cemented his reputation as a powerful dramatic actor, he kicked off his career with some of the funniest performances of the 1980s.

Kilmer made his film debut in Top Secret!, the Zucker brothers’ criminally underrated follow-up to Airplane!. After the success of their disaster movie spoof, the Zuckers and Jim Abraham mashed together a parody of spy movies and Elvis musicals. Unlike Airplane!, which featured a cast of fading movie stars, Zaz went with complete unknown Kilmer for the lead role of singer Nick Rivers.

“He did a reading, did a couple of songs, and we thought, Hey, this is the guy,” remembered David Zucker in a ScreenCrush oral history of Top Secret.

“He could sing, he could...

After a long battle with cancer, the acclaimed actor leaves behind a legacy of terrific performances.

Val Kilmer was one of Hollywood’s brightest stars for more than two decades. The actor turned in some truly notable performances in his day, including his embodiment of Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” Doc Holiday in “Tombstone,” and even a turn in the cape and cowl in “Batman Forever.”

Kilmer’s first public struggles with cancer began in 2015, and in 2017, he began using a voice box to aid him in speaking. Nevertheless, Kilmer continued to appear in select film roles until 2022, when he reprised his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in “Top Gun: Maverick.” That was his last appearance on the big screen before his passing at the age of 65 on Tuesday, April 1.

If the passing of Kilmer has you feeling a desire to go back and revisit some of his most iconic performances,...

Val Kilmer is gone. It’s strange to say, since he was such an important part of the fabric of movies – and of pop culture, really – for decades. And if it wasn’t movies, it was something else.

He hosted “Saturday Night Live.” He appeared in an endlessly touring stage show as Mark Twain. He had a reputation for being prickly, maybe difficult, but for turning in brilliant performances that only he could.

And then, starting in 2015, he began battling cancer. In 2017, he announced that he had experienced a “healing of cancer,” but he was still struggling. As a lifelong Christian Scientist, he didn’t want to accept medical treatment. Eventually he did, having throat cancer removed and leaving him without the ability to speak and being forced to eat via a feeding tube. In recent years, he had experimented with AI to replicate his voice. “Val,” a 2021 documentary produced...

​Val Kilmer, the actor known for his roles in ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Batman Forever,’ and ‘The Doors,’ passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65 due to pneumonia.

Born in Los Angeles in 1959, Kilmer began his acting journey on stage, gaining early recognition for his performances in comedies like ‘Top Secret!’ and ‘Real Genius.’ He achieved widespread fame portraying Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the 1986 blockbuster ‘Top Gun.’ His depiction of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 film ‘The Doors’ further showcased his depth as an actor. In 1995, Kilmer took on the iconic role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in ‘Batman Forever,’ solidifying his status as a Hollywood leading man. ​

Also in news – First look image revealed for Sam Mendes’ ‘The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event’

Throughout his career, Kilmer was celebrated for his intense method acting, which, while yielding memorable performances, sometimes led to reports of challenging on-set behavior. Despite these challenges,...

Val Kilmer, the dashing Hollywood actor who gave us some of the most memorable characters in Hollywood movies, has passed away at the age of 65.

Whether he was performing as the quick-witted Doc Holliday or the dark, enigmatic Batman, Kilmer possessed a unique talent—he didn’t act; he became the character he was portraying. His capacity to utterly vanish into his characters kept people captivated, and every movie he worked on became something truly special. His legacy will be remembered through the amazing stories that he helped bring to life.

Val Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in the year 2015. This was a battle he candidly shared in his 2021 documentary Val, which premiered at Cannes. But long before that, Kilmer had already bared his soul in his memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry. From his early days to Hollywood fame, from love and heartbreak to personal regrets, he left no chapter of his life untold.

Val Kilmer, who died on Tuesday at the age of 65 after battling throat cancer, became one of the biggest stars of the ’80s and ’90s with a diverse array of films, ranging from action thrillers to biopics and comedies.

After scoring his first movie role in the 1984 action comedy “Top Secret,” Kilmer broke through with his performance in the sci-fi comedy “Real Genius” (1985) before soaring into the mainstream alongside Tom Cruise in 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun.” He then starred in Ron Howard’s fantasy “Willow” (1988) before receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 “The Doors” biopic.

The ’90s brought a steady stream of hits for Kilmer, who became one of the best-paid actors of the decade. He took on the Western genre alongside Kurt Russell in “Tombstone” (1993), starred in crime dramas including Michael Mann’s classic “Heat” (1995) and became a superhero the same year with Joel Schumacher’s “Batman Forever.

Ranking The Highest-Grossing Films Of Val Kilmer (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The world is still processing the passing away of Val Kilmer, who stole hearts as Jim Morrison and Batman. The actor was known for his versatility and dedication to the craft. He was one of the highest-paid actors of the 90s and an A-lister. Kilmer’s career and filmography are also filled with critical hits and commercial successes. Mortally, he might have left us, but his work will always remind us of his talents, so we are here to explore the top five highest-grossing films of the late actor. Keep scrolling for more.

Kilmer, born in 1959 in LA, California, rose to fame with comedy films, including Real Genius. He gained global recognition with Top Gun and then appeared in the fantasy film Willow. He was lauded for his portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors. Val worked in several genres of films,...

Actor Val Kilmer, the film star of “The Doors”, “Tombstone”, “Heat” and a whole lot more, has died:

Kilmer’s features included “Real Genius” (1985), the military action film Top Gun (1986) and the fantasy film Willow (1988).

Kilmer gained acclaim for his portrayal of ‘Jim Morrison’ in director Oliver Stone's “The Doors’ (1991).

He then starred in a variety of films, including the western “Tombstone” (1993) and the crime dramas “True Romance” (1993) and “Heat” (1995).

In addition, he portrayed ‘Batman’ in director Joel Schumacher's “Batman Forever” (1995) and appeared in “The Ghost and the Darkness” (1996), “The Saint” (1997), “The Prince of Egypt” (1998), “Alexander” (2004), “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005), and “The Snowman” (2017).

In 2022, Kilmer reprised his role as ‘Iceman’ in “Top Gun: Maverick”, marking his final film performance.

Click the images to enlarge…...

The legendary actor Val Kilmer passed away in his Los Angeles home on Tuesday. The Top Gun star was only 65 and reportedly died due to complications from pneumonia. The actor was previously diagnosed with cancer back in 2014, but had survived the ordeal. He was recently seen in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his role as Iceman.

Kilmer leaves behind a legacy of incredible films and performances. While his most popular role to date is Batman in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever, the actor proved his mettle in the craft with films like The Doors, where he played singer Jim Morrison. His statement on death provides some sort of solace to fans.

Val Kilmer’s perspective on death might just make his passing a bit easier Val Kilmer in Batman Forever | Credits: Warner Bros.

When talk show host Stephen Colbert asked Keanu Reeves what happened to people after they died, he...

It's with a heavy heart that we report tonight that Val Kilmer has died at the age of 65 in Los Angeles after a short battle with pneumonia. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed news of his passing to The New York Times earlier this evening.

Kilmer had also battled throat cancer since 2015, and had a procedure on his trachea that damaged his vocal cords to the point where it significantly limited his ability to speak. He had also undergone chemotherapy treatments and two tracheotomies.

He is survived by his two adult children, Mercedes and Jack, who he had with ex-wife Joanne Whalley.

Kilmer's breakthrough performance was in 1986's Top Gun, where he played Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky, and his career reached new heights in 1991 when he played Jim Morrison in The Doors. His most prominent credits also include playing Doc Holliday in 1993's Tombstone, Bruce Wayne/Batman in 1995's Batman Forever, and Chris Shiherlis in Heat.

Val Kilmer was, to put in the parlance of his fellow 1980s icon Demi Moore, a popcorn actor. He was Iceman. He was Batman. He was Madmartigan. He was Jim Morrison. He was a Real Genius. He was our huckleberry.

Kilmer, the versatile, volatile teen idol-turned-brooding leading man, has died at 65 after a heroic battle with throat cancer, according to The New York Times. He leaves behind a screen legacy that, per IMDb, tallied 105 acting credits. Those included zeitgeist comedies, blockbuster action epics, fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and animated features — many of them indisputable classics helmed by a who's-who of filmmakers and starring some of Hollywood's greatest legends. Despite his enviable C.V., Kilmer never merited an Oscar nomination or an Emmy bid. The closest he got to a major award was a 2012 Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for The Mask of Zorro. But that's not to say Kilmer didn't deserve accolades.

Michael Mann, Francis Ford Coppola, Nicolas Cage, Jim Carrey and Josh Brolin were among the many entertainment industry figures who paid tribute to Val Kilmer after news of his death was announced.

Kilmer died of pneumonia in Los Angeles, his daughter, actress Mercedes Kilmer, told The New York Times. He was 65. The actor was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015.

His death was announced as the actor was meant to be arriving for a rare red carpet appearance at the Beverly Hills Film Festival on Tuesday night. “It was a shock to find this out. We had just confirmed Val to attend the West Coast premiere of American Badass: A Michael Madsen Retrospective this past weekend,” Nino Simone, founder and president of the Beverly Hills Film Festival, said on Wednesday.

The much-loved and incredibly versatile actor had a diverse filmography, excelling both as a leading man (Batman Forever, The Saint, Top Secret!,...

Val Kilmer, the actor known for playing Iceman in Top Gun, Jim Morrison in The Doors, and the Caped Crusader in Batman Forever, has died at age 65.

News of Kilmer’s passing was confirmed by his daughter Mercedes Kilmer, who told the Associated Press that the actor died of pneumonia on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by friends and family.

Val Edward Kilmer was born on December 31st, 1959 in Los Angeles. Despite becoming one of the biggest movie stars of the 1980s and ’90s, he began his career in theater, starring in productions of Orestes and in The Wood Demon as a student at Juilliard. He was so committed to being a proper thespian that he turned down a role in The Outsiders to attend to prior theater engagements — though acting alongside Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn, and Jackie Earle Haley in an Off Broadway production of The Slab Boys...

Actor Val Kilmer, whose film roles included Iceman in Top Gun, the titular superhero in Batman Forever and Doc Holliday in Tombstone, has died at the age of 65.

Kilmer died on Tuesday of pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes tells The New York Times. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, and a procedure on his trachea reduced his speaking voice to a whisper. A 2021 documentary, Val, documented his health issues along with his film career.

More from TVLineRichard Chamberlain, The Thorn Birds and Shogun Actor, Dead at 90Guiding Light and One Life to Live Vet Mark Dobies Dead at 65The Vivienne...

Val Kilmer, the dashing Los Angeles-born actor who became a movie star after soaring with Tom Cruise in Top Gun, and later starring in roles as varied as Batman, Jim Morrison, Mark Twain and Doc Holliday, died April 1. Before a battle with throat cancer that would rob his ability to speak, Kilmer starred in a wide swath of movies, from blockbusters like Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever to Westerns like Tombstone, musical biopics like Oliver Stone’s The Doors and later indie hits like Wonderland (playing ’70s porn star John Holmes) and Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, all employing in various capacities his trademark sly wit and always just the right touch of likeability. Related: Val Kilmer Dies: ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Doors’ & ‘Batman Forever’ Star Was 65 It was Top Gun that cemented his fame, though, playing hotshot pilot and Cruise foil Iceman in Tony Scott’s 1986 action blockbuster. Here...

Actor Val Kilmer has passed away. Known for several fan-favorite roles, from Doc Holliday to Batman, the actor was 65 years old.

The New York Times reported on the passing of Kilmer, with his daughter, actress Mercedes Kilmer, confirming the news. According nto his daughter, Kilmer died in Los Angeles due to pneumonia. He'd previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015. His subsequent health struggles had been chronicled in the documentary Val, released in 2021.

Val Edward Kilmer was born on New Year's Eve in 1959. At the age of 17, he started studying acting at Juilliard in New York. This led to his work in theater, and he made his Broadway debut in 1983 with a role in Slab Boys. He'd make his debut in film by playing teen idol Nick Rivers in the 1984 film Top Secret!, following it up with a role in tthe1985 film Real Genius.

A big break came quickly for...

Val Kilmer, who starred in a string of high-profile films such as Batman Forever and The Doors before receding from the silver screen amid health issues, died on Tuesday at the age of 65.

His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the actor’s death to The New York Times, adding the cause was pneumonia. She said Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered.

The actor shot to fame in the Eighties with features in Top Secret!, Real Genius, and the mega blockbuster hit Top Gun playing naval aviator Tom...

Val Kilmer, the celebrated actor known for intensely committing to his performances and for starring roles in films like “Tombstone,” “Top Gun,” “The Doors” and more, died Tuesday from complications of pneumonia. He was 65.

His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, made the news public.

A Los Angeles native born in 1959, Kilmer grew up in the San Fernando Valley and as a teenager set a record as the youngest student to be accepted into the Julliard school of Drama (the record was broken by Seth Numrich.)

Kilmer pursued a stage career when he started acting professionally in the early 80s, but launched his film career with “Top Secret!” a parody of both World War II dramas and musical comedies starring Elvis Presley directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker, the team behind “Airplane!”

The film, though considered a bomb, showcased Kilmer’s matinee idol looks, impeccable comic timing but also his versatile singing voice,...

Val Kilmer, the Juilliard-trained actor with leading man looks known for taking on roles that transcended his appearance, has died. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to the New York Times that the actor had passed away after battling pneumonia. He was 65.

Kilmer’s early films included comedies like Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985), as well as his breakout role 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 lead Thunderheart (1992) before opting for scene-stealing co-starring roles in Tombstone (1993), True Romance (1993) and Heat (1995).

“Someone sent me a poll recently where Tombstone snuck into the top 10 Best Westerns of all time,” Kilmer later told Deadline. “I don’t know if that film is a classic,...

Val Kilmer, the star of films such as “Top Gun,” “Batman Forever,” “The Doors,” and many more classics, has died, his daughter told The New York Times. He was 65.

Kilmer died of pneumonia at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 1, his daughter told Nyt. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, rendering him unable to speak and having him disappear from Hollywood for years, but he had recovered.

The Iceman in “Top Gun” opposite Tom Cruise, Kilmer was one of the coolest leading men around but also one of Hollywood’s most unsung stars. He had a handsomeness and charm but also a guarded, reserved presence and mystique that made him perfect to play a rock star like Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors,” one of his most acclaimed performances, as well as tentpole roles like Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever.” He broke out in films such as “Real Genius,...

Val Kilmer, who played Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever,” channeled Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” and starred as a tubercular Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” died Tuesday in Los Angeles. His daughter Mercedes told The New York Times the cause was pneumonia. He was 65. He had been battling throat cancer for several years.

Kilmer’s reps did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.

The baby-faced blonde actor had a solid run as a leading man with a volatile reputation in the ’80s and ’90s, starring in “Top Gun,” “Real Genius,” “Willow,” “Heat,” and “The Saint.” He returned briefly to screens in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick” although he could no longer speak due to his cancer.

In 2021, a documentary on his life, “Val,” was released. His son provided the actor’s voice and the film utilized hundreds of hours of video he had recorded over the years,...

So far, there is only one character who appears in every season of The White Lotus — Greg, who is now going by Gary in Season 3. We know Greg as the scheming and downright murderous former husband to the beloved Tanya McQuoid (the legendary Jennifer Coolidge). In Season 1, he weaseled his way into her heart. In Season 2, he bailed on her in Italy but secretly arranged for her murder. In Season 3, we find him living in Thailand at a house near the White Lotus resort, dating a "model" (the delightful Charlotte Le Bon). When another character from Season 1, Tanya's potential business partner Belinda (the hilarious Natasha Rothwell), shows up at the Thailand White Lotus resort and recognizes Greg, she begins to fear for her own life.

Greg/Gary is a scary jerk, probably the most explicitly villainous character in Mike White's show, but he's played by an extremely funny man — Jon Gries.

Long before Matthew Modine set foot in the Upside Down in Stranger Things, he established himself as a talented actor. Modine first gained recognition in the 1980s, starring in films like Birdy and Vision Quest. At the same time, Val Kilmer (a Juilliard-trained actor who had previously worked on stage) was trying to make it in Hollywood, appearing in films like Top Secret!, Real Genius, and Top Gun. Their paths crossed in a surprisingly intense confrontation, which Modine recently recounted on the Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast.

At the time, Modine was having breakfast with David Alan Greer, after the two had won an award at the Venice Film Festival for Robert Altman's Streamers.

"There was a fella sitting about 10 feet from me and he was saying obscenities. It was clearly directed at me. I told David, who had his back to this fella, I said, 'either that guy's...

Val Kilmer always wanted to be an actor, so he took his craft incredibly seriously. One of his earliest notable theater appearances was playing Hotspur in a 1981 production of Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part 1." This led to his securing the role of Alan in a production of "The Slab Boys," wherein he acted opposite fellow future stars Kevin Bacon, Jackie Earle Haley, and Sean Penn. Kilmer was so devoted to "The Slab Boys" that he turned down a role in Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of "The Outsiders."

Some may see that as a foolish career decision, but Kilmer instead made his feature film debut in the 1984 Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker slapstick comedy "Top Secret!," one of the best comedies of all time. Kilmer has admitted, however, that he didn't have much fun making "Top Secret!" because he was still hung up on the fineries of his classical theater education. It seems that he...

Michelle Meyrink isn't an A-list celebrity, but she was a low-key staple of 1980s cinema, known for her quirky charm and ability to bring eccentric characters to life. Born in Vancouver, Canada, Meyrink pursued her passion for acting at a young age, quickly making a name for herself in Hollywood (via The Biography). She began with small but memorable roles in films like The Outsiders and Valley Girl, but her big break came with the 1984 cult classic Revenge of the Nerds, where she played Judy, a lovable female nerd.

Meyrink's career continued to thrive with roles in films like Real Genius, where her portrayal of the hyperactive genius Jordan Cochran became one of her most celebrated performances. Though she left acting in the late '80s, her roles in movies like One Magic Christmas and Permanent Record showcased her versatility, leaving a lasting impression on the cinema of the decade.

Directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier (Dinner in America) from a screenplay by first-time feature writer Tom Dean, a film titled Carolina Caroline is currently in production – but rather than filming in North or South Carolina, it’s being made in Kentucky. When you first look at the cast list as reported by Deadline, you might be led to believe that this is a horror project, because in the lead roles we have genre icons Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner, who has been in the likes of Red, The Haunting in Connecticut, Jennifer’s Body, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Red State, The Walking Dead, The Cleanse, Alien Code, Ghosts of War, Smile, The Passenger; Mother, May I?; and the upcoming Smile sequel. But this one isn’t horror; it’s being described as a romantic crime thriller.

The story centers on a young woman (Weaving) who skips her small town — in...

Before she became known as one of the best comedy directors of her generation for the now classic “Valley Girl” and “Real Genius,” director Martha Coolidge made her feature debut with the searing drama “Not a Pretty Picture,” a one-of-a-kind documentary/narrative hybrid in which Coolidge recreated her own rape with actors and shot both the recreation and the behind the scenes circumstances of its making. Bravely personal and intensely provocative, “Not a Pretty Picture” announced Coolidge as a major new talent and earned praise from both critics and other filmmakers, yet for decades it has been difficult to see, more talked and written about than screened.

That changed in 2022 when the Academy Film Archive restored “Not a Pretty Picture” in partnership with Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation and the George Lucas Family Foundation. Now, after a series of public screenings at festivals, museums, and repertory theaters, the film is...

The 1995 film "12 Monkeys" was one of the few times a Terry Gilliam film wasn't beset with chaos and production problems. Gilliam is notoriously unlucky — not to mention incredibly headstrong — so many of his features were only made after last-minute disasters, deaths, or other major catastrophes. One can see Gilliam's unluckiness in play in Keith Fulton's and Louis Pepe's 2002 documentary "Lost in La Mancha," which traced the director's first, stalled attempt to make "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote." Also, one doesn't need to be a deep-cut cineaste to know all about the issues Gilliam had with his 1983 sci-fi film "Brazil," a picture that was re-cut multiple times.

For "12 Monkeys," though, everything seemed to work out okay. Based on Chris Marker's 1962 short film "La Jetée," the film begins in 2035 after most of humanity has been killed by a lethal virus. Survivors were forced into underground prisons,...

One of the more unusual creative choices made for Roland Emmerich's 1998 film "Godzilla" was to make it into, essentially, a comedy. In its structure, "Godzilla" is a straight-up adventure blockbuster, replete with the trappings of city-sized destruction and international mayhem that Emmerich typically handles with such aplomb. In its tone, however, "Godzilla" is light and breezy, and focuses on the human character Nick Tatopoulos (Matthew Broderick) and his relationship with his ex-girlfriend, the aspiring reporter Audrey (Maria Pitillo). Audrey feels stymied in her career by a lascivious, egotistical boss Charles Caiman (Harry Shearer) who implies that he'll give her a promotion in exchange for sexual favors. One might also notice that Caiman's secretary is played by actress Nancy Cartwright.

Insulted and disgusted by Charles, Audrey instead takes to the streets of New York with her cameraman Animal (Hank Azaria) hoping to catch footage of the rampaging iguana monster stalking the streets.