Val Kilmer, a celebrated actor known for his roles in 1980s and 1990s hits like “Batman Forever” and “Top Gun,” has passed away at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed to the New York Times that pneumonia was the cause of his death.
Kilmer, who was born on December 31, 1959, had been battling throat cancer for nearly ten years. Throughout his illness, he underwent chemotherapy and two tracheotomies, which ultimately left him unable to speak. Before his diagnosis, Kilmer was widely recognized as a heartthrob of his era, known for his performances in films such as “Tombstone,” “Heat,” and “The Saint.” His acting career continued into the 2010s and 2020s, prior to his health challenges, with appearances in movies like “MacGruber,” “Planes,” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” In 2021, his life was explored in the documentary film “Val.”
Beyond film, Kilmer had a steady presence in television, often appearing as a guest star in shows like “Psych” and “Entourage,” or providing his voice for KITT in the “Knight Rider” reboot. More recently, he was featured through archive footage in the Disney+ “Willow” sequel series. This appearance was facilitated using his son Jack, who helped recreate Kilmer’s original 1988 performance with the assistance of AI technology, as noted by series creator Jake Kasdan.
Following Kilmer’s death, numerous Hollywood actors shared tributes to the late star. Josh Brolin described him as “a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker” and expressed a hope to meet him again in the afterlife. Similarly, Josh Gad thanked Kilmer for defining many movies of his childhood, acknowledging him as an icon.
Industrial Light and Magic also expressed their condolences, stating, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague, Val Kilmer. From his memorable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, Val cemented himself as one of the greats. He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Kilmer is survived by his two children and his ex-wife, Joanne Whalley. Their thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
This article has been updated to include the eulogies shared on social media about Kilmer.
