In a heartfelt statement, Jim Carrey honored his late co-star, Val Kilmer, who tragically passed away at the age of 65. Carrey, who famously faced off against Kilmer in the iconic film Batman Forever, expressed his admiration for Kilmer's remarkable talent and the profound impact he made on the world of acting.
"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," Carrey stated on Wednesday in a message shared with Entertainment Weekly. He emphasized that Kilmer's artistic achievements were matched only by the extraordinary grace and courage he exhibited while enduring life's most challenging moments. Carrey concluded his tribute by sending love to Kilmer's family during this difficult time.
In Batman Forever, released in 1995, Carrey portrayed the enigmatic supervillain Riddler, opposite Kilmer's portrayal of the iconic superhero, Batman. The film became a massive success, ranking as the second-biggest film at the domestic box office that year. Alongside Carrey and Kilmer, the movie featured notable performances by Nicole Kidman as Dr. Chase Meridian and Tommy Lee Jones as Harvey Dent/Two-Face.
Val Kilmer took over the role of Batman from Michael Keaton, who had played the superhero in the first two films of the franchise. Kilmer's tenure as the Dark Knight was brief, as he was succeeded by George Clooney in Batman & Robin. Although Kilmer never returned to reprise the role of Batman, he made a playful nod to his past in the 2019 film Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, where he portrayed the superhero Bluntman. In a touching moment, Kilmer also donned a modified Batman cowl in his final Instagram video shared in February.
Following Kilmer's passing, many friends and colleagues shared their condolences and memories. Notably, singer Cher, who dated Kilmer in the early 1980s, paid tribute on social media, stating, "Will miss u, U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the ass, GREAT FRIEND, kids Citizen Twain, calling it "BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness."
Jim Carrey's tribute and the outpouring of love from friends highlight the lasting impact that Val Kilmer had on those around him, both personally and professionally. His legacy as an actor will continue to inspire future generations.
