Val Kilmer’s ‘Willow’ director Ron Howard remembers actor after death

After news broke Tuesday night that actor Val Kilmer died at age 65, the late star’s Willow and The Missing director, Ron Howard, bid his former collaborator goodbye in a moving social media tribute to the performer’s talents.

The filmmaker behind the 1988 fantasy film, in which Kilmer starred opposite Warwick Davis in a story of a farmer who embarks on a dangerous adventure while protecting a special newborn from evil forces, shared a remembrance on X of Kilmer’s talents as an actor across multiple iconic projects.

“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,” the 71-year-old wrote, adding that he listed those specific titles “because even my own personal creative experiences reflect his awesome range as an actor.”

Howard went on to urge new audiences to “check out his filmography” because it’s “amazing” in its showcase of Kilmer’s “amazing” skills.

“His art extended to his poetry, artworks, filmmaking, and simply the way he lived,” Howard continued. “Bon Voyage, Val. And thank you.”

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Davis and Howard for additional comment.

Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, told The New York Times that her father died of pneumonia Tuesday. The actor — also known for his roles in Batman Forever and the Top Gun series — was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, but didn’t publicly reveal his diagnosis until 2017.

The Associated Press also reported that Mercedes sent the outlet an email confirming her dad’s death, which she said occurred Tuesday night in Los Angeles while family and friends surrounded him.

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Upon its release, Willow became a hit at the global box office, grossing nearly $140 million on a reported $35 million budget, and earning two Oscar nominations for Sound and Visual Effects.

The film also inspired a 2022 Disney+ TV series of the same name, in which Davis and Howard reunited for one season before its cancellation. Kilmer did not return.