Val Kilmer, a cherished actor known for starring in 1980s and 1990s hit films such as Batman Forever and Top Gun, passed away at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes, informed the New York Times that his death was due to pneumonia.
Born on December 31, 1959, Kilmer had been battling throat cancer for nearly ten years. His condition led to chemotherapy and two tracheotomies, which eventually hindered his ability to speak. Before his diagnosis, Kilmer was considered a heartthrob of his era, with notable roles in films like Tombstone, Heat, and The Saint. Even after his diagnosis and before his medical procedures, he maintained a continuous film presence into the 2010s and 2020s, appearing in movies such as MacGruber, Planes, and Top Gun: Maverick. In 2021, his life was captured in a documentary titled Val.
In addition to his film career, Kilmer had a prominent presence on television, often appearing as a guest star in series like Psych and Entourage, and providing the voice for KITT in the Knight Rider reboot. More recently, he was featured in Disney+’s Willow sequel series using archive footage from the 1988 film. This cameo was achieved with the assistance of his son, Jack, whose voice was paired with AI to recreate Kilmer’s performance from 1988, as noted by the series creator, Jake Kasdan.
Following Kilmer’s passing, various Hollywood figures shared tributes in his memory. Josh Brolin described him as a "smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker," expressing hope of reuniting in the afterlife. Similarly, Josh Gad expressed gratitude for Kilmer’s role in defining the movies of his youth, hailing him as an icon.
Industrial Light and Magic also expressed their sorrow, remarking on Kilmer’s memorable performances as characters like Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, and acknowledging his status as one of the greats. The statement extended condolences to his family.
Kilmer is survived by his two children and ex-wife, Joanne Whalley, with thoughts extended to his family during this difficult time.
