Val Kilmer Gets Heartfelt Tribute From SNL Amid His Demise at 65; Batman Forever Star Presented With Special Card

Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of death.

Val Kilmer passed away at the age of 65 after battling pneumonia last week. Following the actor’s death, Saturday Night Live paid a heartfelt tribute by presenting a special card to the Batman Forever star. Kilmer stepped up on the SNL stage in 2000 as a host, where he performed the parody of his popular Top Gun character, Iceman. The veteran star was also joined by the musical guest, U2. 

The movie star was earlier diagnosed with throat cancer and permanently lost his voice after the surgery. Kilmer’s last onscreen appearance was as Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick, which was released in 2022. 

The father of two was one of the most versatile actors of his time, portraying a range of characters in movies like Tombstone, Batman Forever, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Willow, and Thunderheart, among many others. 

Following the unfortunate news announced by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, the tributes have been pouring in for the actor. Tom Cruise, who starred alongside the late star in Top Gun and the sequel film, also paid homage to the comedian-actor.

Cruise said at CinemaCon, “I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer. I really can’t tell you how much I admire his work, how much I thought of him as a human being, and how honored I was when he joined Top Gun and came back for Top Gun: Maverick.”

Meanwhile, Kilmer’s son and daughter released a statement after their father’s death. They claimed that they would want time to grieve in private, but also feeling overwhelmed by the recognition the actor's career has been receiving thus far. 

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