Val Kilmer, Top Gun and Heat star praised for realistic gunplay, dies aged 65
Val Kilmer, who portrayed US Navy pilot Tom "Iceman" Kazansky in military blockbuster Top Gun, has died at the age of 65.
Iceman, Tom Cruise's rival in the film, famously said at the end of the movie: "You can be my wingman any time."
When the late actor reprised his role in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise was incredibly moved that Kilmer had agreed to take part despite being seriously ill and unable to speak properly.
Cruise said: "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.
"I mean, you're looking at Iceman... I was crying. I got emotional."
Mercedes Kilmer, the actor's daughter, told the New York Times her father had died from pneumonia.
Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, and after radiotherapy and chemotherapy he had a tracheostomy, which damaged his vocal cords, making it difficult for him to speak.
Connection to US Marine Corps
Another movie Kilmer is famous for is the 1995 action film Heat, in which he stars alongside Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
In the film, Kilmer's character Chris Shiherlis shoots at LAPD officers and reloads while trying to escape after a failed bank robbery.
The cast was trained by former SAS soldiers Andy McNab and Mick Gould.
Kilner's performance in the scene is considered so realistic the actor was told US Marines watch it during weapons training.
He said: "I heard something really flattering. There's a shot where I run out of bullets, I change a mag and I go back to firing.
"I think it's the Marines, they show the clip and say 'Tell those maggots if you can't change a clip as fast as this actor, then get out of my army'."
Attitude to death
In an interview with Piotr Uklanski in 2011 for Interview Magazine, Kilmer spoke about how he didn't fear death.
He said: "I lost my little brother, so I was forced to confront death sooner than the average kid from the San Fernando Valley.
"I don't believe in death. I think death is just a transition to another state of consciousness."
Kilmer is also known for playing Batman in the 1995 film Batman Forever and for portraying musician Jim Morrison in the 1991 film The Doors.
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