Val Kilmer , the brooding, versatile actor who played fan favorite Iceman in "Top Gun," donned a voluminous cape as Batman in "Batman Forever" and portrayed Jim Morrison in "The Doors," has died. He was 65.

Kilmer died from pneumonia on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, said in an email to The Associated Press.

The Times was the first to report his death on Tuesday.

Shortly after news broke of his shocking demise, the official Top Gun handle paid tribute to the late star, best known for his role as 'Iceman'. Sharing his photo in uniform from the classic, the tweet read, "Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman."


One of his iconic roles - hotshot pilot Tom "Iceman" Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise - almost didn't happen. Kilmer was courted by director Tony Scott for "Top Gun" but initially balked. "I didn't want the part. I didn't care about the film. The story didn't interest me," he wrote in his memoir. He agreed after being promised that his role would improve from the initial script.

See More: 'Top Gun' fame actor Val Kilmer passes away at 65

He later reprised the role in the film's 2022 sequel, 'Top Gun: Maverick' which went on to become a billion-dollar box office hit. Fans of the franchise took to social media to remember the late star. Among the many photos and videos that went viral, was his final scene with co-star Tom Cruise, that saw him typing the words, "It's time to let go." Reacting to the viral clip, a fan wrote, "Val Kilmer’s scene in Top Gun: Maverick hits even harder now. Rest in peace, Iceman."




Take a look at some of the tributes of love that poured in from fans:




One career nadir was playing Batman in Joel Schumacher's goofy, garish "Batman Forever" with Nicole Kidman and opposite Chris O'Donnell 's Robin - before George Clooney took up the mantle for 1997's "Batman & Robin" and after Michael Keaton played the Dark Knight in 1989's "Batman" and 1992's "Batman Returns."

On the personal front, he made headlines when he announced his recovery from a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies.

He is survived by their two children, Mercedes and Jack.