Actor Val Kilmer, who starred in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s and 90s, including Top Gun and Batman Forever, has died at the age of 65. Kilmer died of pneumonia on Tuesday in Los Angeles, his daughter Mercedes confirmed. She said her father had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but had later recovered.
The versatile actor made his mark with performances in films like The Doors, Tombstone, and Heat. Despite a tracheotomy that affected his voice, he returned to reprise his role as Iceman in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick.
Hollywood Pays Tribute
Heat director Michael Mann wrote: “While working with Val on Heat, I always marveled at the range within the powerful current of Val’s expressing character.” Actor Josh Brolin called him “a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker.” British actor David Thewlis described him as “one of the most extraordinary people I have ever met.”
From Juilliard to Hollywood
Born in 1959, Kilmer grew up in Los Angeles. At 17, he became the youngest student to enroll at the prestigious Juilliard School. He made his name in comedies, Top Secret! and Real Genius, before cementing his status as Iceman in 1986’s Top Gun.
Versatile Talent
Kilmer showcased his dynamic talents portraying Jim Morrison in The Doors. His roles as Doc Holliday in Tombstone and alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat were also acclaimed. He took over as Batman in 1995’s Batman Forever and starred as the master criminal in The Saint in 1997.
Health Battle and Legacy
Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, Kilmer underwent radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and a tracheostomy that permanently damaged his vocal cords. In 2021, he released a documentary called Val, featuring 40 years of home recordings.
Film critic Larushka Ivan-Zadeh said Kilmer had “something dark and troubling and sensual about him. He was never just the bland Hollywood pretty boy.” Entertainment journalist KJ Matthews added: “When Val Kilmer was attached to a project, you just knew he was going to do something interesting with that character.”
Kilmer is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack, from his marriage to British actress Joanne Whalley.