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Ron Howard Remembers Val Kilmer’s ‘Awesome Range’ in Heartfelt Tribute: ‘Bon Voyage Val’
Apr
Ron Howard Remembers Val Kilmer’s ‘Awesome Range’ in Heartfelt Tribute: ‘Bon Voyage Val’
Following the news of Val Kilmer’s death at 65, Ron Howard, who directed Kilmer in both Willow and The Missing, shared an emotional tribute to his late collaborator, celebrating the actor’s remarkable talent and legacy.
Howard, who worked with Kilmer on the 1988 fantasy film Willow, took to social media to honor the actor’s versatility and range. In Willow, Kilmer played the rogue swordsman Madmartigan, alongside Warwick Davis in a tale of a farmer who embarks on an adventurous quest to protect a special child from evil forces.
“I was incredibly fortunate to collaborate with Val a number of times over the years. As the offbeat swordsman #Madmartigan in #Willow, his stunning #JimMorrison in Oliver Stone’s #TheDoors & in a chilling cameo in #TheMissing,” Howard wrote on X, highlighting those roles as reflections of Kilmer’s “awesome range as an actor.”
The filmmaker also encouraged new audiences to explore Kilmer’s expansive filmography, calling it “amazing” and showcasing the actor’s immense talent. Howard continued, “His art extended to his poetry, artworks, filmmaking, and simply the way he lived. Bon Voyage, Val. And thank you.”
Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, confirmed her father’s passing on Tuesday night due to complications from pneumonia. The actor, known for his roles in Batman Forever and Top Gun, had been battling throat cancer since 2014, though he only publicly disclosed the diagnosis in 2017.
Willow, which became a box office success grossing nearly $140 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, also earned two Oscar nominations for Sound and Visual Effects. The film inspired a 2022 Disney+ series, where Davis and Howard reunited for one season, although Kilmer did not return.
Howard’s tribute to Kilmer echoes the enduring impact of his remarkable career and the deep bond they shared throughout their collaborations.
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