Val Kilmer Dies At 65: We Celebrate The Times He Brought A Gay Sensibility To The Screen
Val Kilmer, the talented Hollywood actor, has passed away at age 65. His death on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Los Angeles from pneumonia, confirmed by his daughter Mercedes Kilmer, marks the loss of a screen original.
Many of us recognise Kilmer for his range, from the intense Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991), Batman in Batman Forever(1995), to the complex Doc Holliday in Tombstone.
However, certain roles hold a special place. Kilmer possessed an enigmatic quality, a brooding presence combined with startling vulnerability, that made him unforgettable. Today, we remember not just the actor but the icon through performances that resonated deeply, sometimes unexpectedly.
Val Kilmer as Gay Perry
Who could forget Gay Perry? In the sharp, witty neo-noir Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Kilmer played a gay private investigator. Perry van Shrike was tough, cynical, effortlessly cool, and completely unbothered by the chaos around him. Kilmer delivered every sharp-tongued line with masterful timing, creating a character miles away from tired stereotypes.
Val Kilmer’s comedic timing was so underrated, especially for a leading man as good looking as Kilmer. Val’s chemistry with Robert Downey Jr. in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was special. What a film, what an actor. pic.twitter.com/gd8CjZbgcv
— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) April 2, 2025
Paired with Robert Downey Jr, the chemistry crackled. Their dynamic, including a memorable kiss, was a refreshing take. It was a confident, layered performance that presented a capable, compelling gay character leading the action.
rip to val kilmer. thinking about how hard he made me laugh at this scene in kiss, kiss, bang bang pic.twitter.com/TCtYs0Sqa8
— luca (@collateral2OO4) April 2, 2025
King Philip in Alexander
Oliver Stone’s epic Alexander (2004) was ambitious, but Kilmer’s turn as King Philip II, Alexander’s father, was undeniably powerful. He portrayed Philip as a commanding, volatile force of nature, full of raw energy and complex desires.
Remembering Val Kilmer In Photos:
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) April 2, 2025
As Philip in 'Alexander', 2004, with Angelina Jolie and Colin Farrell
See photos of his best work through the decades: https://t.co/XxR28AdvjD pic.twitter.com/dYFyFZZDlL
The film explored the fluid nature of power and relationships in the ancient world. Kilmer captured this historical ambiguity brilliantly, portraying a figure whose intense connections, including those depicted with other men like Pausanias, defied simple labels. It showcased his willingness to tackle roles that explored sensuality and intimacy beyond conventional lines, bringing a commanding presence to the screen.
The film depicts Alexander’s intimate relationships, notably his deep bond with Hephaestion (played by Jared Leto). However, the only male-male kiss shown is between Alexander and a young male dancer.
Val Kilmer in Alexander (2004) pic.twitter.com/noLlTwvzXL
— Frame Found (@framefound) December 4, 2018
Iceman in Top Gun
Then there is Iceman. Officially, Tom Kazansky in Top Gun (1986) was Maverick’s (Tom Cruise) ice-cold rival. But let’s be real. For decades, viewers have picked up on the supercharged, homoerotic tension between Iceman and Maverick. The simmering rivalry, the intense stares across crowded rooms, that volleyball scene – it all fuelled a potent gay subtext.
As Quentin Tarantino famously declared in a monologue from the film Sleep With Me , he saw Top Gun as “a story about a man struggling with his own homosexuality.” While Iceman wasn’t explicitly written as gay, Kilmer played him with such focused intensity, aimed squarely at Maverick, that it became legendary. He embodied a cool control that felt like it masked deeper feelings, making Iceman an enduring icon of cinematic subtext.
The volleyball scene in the original Top Gun was my introduction to Val Kilmer. It’s impossible to forget the first time I saw this scene because of Kilmer’s on-screen presence. Iceman was iconic because of his unmatched confidence. Only Val. pic.twitter.com/aIO9226rDi
— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) April 2, 2025
An Icon Remembered
Val Kilmer leaves behind an impressive body of work, marked by his fearless commitment and undeniable screen presence. From his early days as the youngest student accepted into Juilliard’s acting program at the time, he carved a unique path.
"Thank you, Ice. For everything."
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) April 2, 2025
Val Kilmer as Admiral Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in TOP GUN: MAVERICK. pic.twitter.com/62tU1ylYYh
While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his legacy. Whether exploring different facets of sexuality in films like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang or creating unforgettable subtextual sparks in Top Gun, he brought intelligence, danger, and a rare charisma to the screen that will be deeply missed. Vale, Val Kilmer.
