'Heat' Director Michael Mann Honors Late Star Val Kilmer

Heat director Michael Mann responded to Val Kilmer’s death with a heartwarming tribute.

Mann released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter commemorating Kilmer, with whom he worked on the 1995 crime thriller which starred Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Kilmer played family man and robbery mastermind Chris Shiherlis in the film, which is considered to be one of the greatest thrillers ever made.

“While working with Val on Heat, I always marveled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character,” Mann told the outlet. “After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.”

Related: Val Kilmer, 'Top Gun' Actor, Dead at 65

Kilmer passed away on April 1 at 65 from pneumonia. The actor had battled throat cancer for several years before his death, rendering him unable to speak. Even as his health deteriorated and he was prevented from using his voice, Kilmer appeared in a number of films, including Tomas Alfredson’s The Snowman (2017) and the immensely successful sequel Top Gun: Maverick, in which he reprised his original role of Iceman.

In addition to Mann, many of Kilmer’s fans and former collaborators honored him with heartfelt social media posts. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague, Val Kilmer,” legendary visual effects house Industrial Light and Magic posted to Threads. “From his memorable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, Val cemented himself as one of the greats. He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Lucasfilm executive Pablo Hidalgo echoed that sentiment in his own statement. “Oh man, not Val Kilmer. His comedic chops were top notch but he had a fascinating storm roiling beneath the surface. Madmartigan was an icon.”