Val Kilmer's Batman co-stars including Jim Carrey pay tribute to his 'grace and courage'
Val Kilmer - who died on Tuesday at the age of 65 after a battle with throat cancer - played Batman in 1995's 'Batman Forever' opposite Jim Carrey as The Riddler
Jim Carrey is among Val Kilmer's Batman co-stars who have paid tribute to his "grace and courage". The 63-year-old actor, who starred alongside Kilmer in the 1995 film Batman Forever, shared a poignant message following the news of his co-star's passing at the age of 65 due to complications from pneumonia.
In a statement, Carrey said: "I'm remembering Val Kilmer today with great admiration for him as a man and as a generational talent who left us an enviable legacy of indelible acting performances.
"His greatest artistic achievements were rivalled only by the grace and courage with which he endured his life's most challenging moments. Wishing his family so much love."
Kilmer took on the iconic role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 movie, directed by Michael Schumacher, following in the footsteps of Michael Keaton. Jim Carrey played the villainous Riddler in the film, which also starred Tommy Lee Jones, Chris O'Donnell, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore, and Debi Mazar.
Debi Mazar also paid tribute to Kilmer, sharing a fond memory of their first meeting in 1984. On Instagram, she wrote: "I met Val in 1984, in a dilapidated van that had a door missing. We had just attended Vincent Gallo's wedding to a girl named Denise(? ) in NYC.
"The van took a bunch of us to the wedding reception in Jamaica, Queens. Super fun memory of that day.. Years later, I'd work with him in 'The Doors' [and] 'Batman Forever'.
"He was so talented [and] interesting. I know he struggled over the years with his health, and was a fighter. My condolences to his family [and] loved ones. May he R.I.P."
Jennifer Tilly, who was set to appear alongside Kilmer in the 1991 film 'The Doors' before her scenes were cut from the final version, has reflected on his iconic portrayal of Jim Morrison.
In an X post, she recalled: "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 Pamela's. 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. 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. (sic)".
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