Val Kilmer, the versatile and enigmatic actor known for his roles as Iceman in Top Gun, Batman in Batman Forever, and Jim Morrison in The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65.
SUPPORT THE FAMILY - GOD BLESS YOU
Kilmer died Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed in an email to The Associated Press. The actor’s cause of death was pneumonia, following a years-long health battle. Kilmer, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, had undergone multiple tracheotomies and had since struggled with his voice and breathing.
A Juilliard-trained actor, Kilmer was once the youngest person ever admitted to the prestigious performing arts school. He rose to fame in the 1980s, first in the spy spoof Top Secret! (1984) and the comedy Real Genius (1985), before achieving widespread recognition with his role as the cocky, charismatic fighter pilot Iceman in 1986’s Top Gun.
Kilmer’s career soared through the 1990s, with a string of memorable performances. He embodied music icon Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 biopic The Doors, a role that showcased his commitment to method acting and earned him critical acclaim. He later took on the iconic role of Batman in 1995’s Batman Forever, following Michael Keaton’s departure from the franchise.
Beyond blockbuster hits, Kilmer demonstrated remarkable range. He starred as Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993), Elvis Presley’s ghost in True Romance (1993), and a demolition expert in Michael Mann’s crime thriller Heat (1995), sharing the screen with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. He continued to impress with later performances in films such as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) and MacGruber (2010).
Despite his struggles with illness, Kilmer remained reflective and grateful in his later years. In the 2021 documentary Val, he looked back on his life and career with honesty, stating:
“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed. And I am blessed.”
Kilmer leaves behind a rich legacy in Hollywood, remembered for his charisma, intensity, and dedication to his craft. His presence on screen and impact on audiences will endure for years to come.
