Beloved Top Gun and Batman Star Val Kilmer Passes Away at65

Hollywood has lost a beloved actor.

Actor Val Kilmer, best known for his roles as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun (1986) and Batman in Batman Forever (1995), passed away due to pneumonia on April 1st. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the news to The New York Times. He was 65 years old.

He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, but later recovered, she confirmed to the outlet.

Kilmer tended to conceal most aspects of his cancer fight. He didn’t disclose much until 2020, when he chose to share his health challenges publicly. This was when he unveiled that he had undergone a trachea procedure, which resulted in him having a hoarse voice.

He informed ABC News that while his voice might not indicate it, he feels terrific. He’d been diagnosed with throat cancer, but it responded swiftly to treatment.

Kilmer went on to say, “I’m having a tracheotomy to aid my breathing, since the glands in my throat became inflamed and swollen.

In his 2020 memoir titled “I’m Your Huckleberry“, Kilmer acknowledged that his former girlfriend, Cher, significantly contributed to his treatment. He reminisced about the time when he was residing at her guesthouse and started vomiting blood, which spread across the bed as if replicating a bloody scene from “The Godfather“.

I had the incredible privilege of being by the side of the “Believe” singer during my hospital visits – from the nerve-wracking tracheotomy to countless chemotherapy sessions throughout our shared ordeal. To put it simply, we found humor in the most unexpected places; sharing laughter before they even had a chance to check my vital signs and silence me with an oxygen mask.

Over the span of his lengthy acting career, Kilmer starred in many well-known movies, such as Willow (1988), The Doors (1991), True Romance (1993), Heat (1995), and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005).

In the year 2021, his documentary titled “Val” had its debut. His most recent role in a film was in the 2023 release of “Top Gun: Maverick,” which was a sequel to his previous action movie alongside Tom Cruise.

In 2022, Kilmer shared with Collider that he deeply respected Tom and found it delightful to be part of such an easygoing atmosphere during their emotional onscreen reunion. He added, “We’re professionals who get paid to act, and we did just that in the scene. However, working alongside a true professional like Tom turned it into a joy, rather than mere work.

2022 found me feeling immense joy and respect when I shared an emotional on-screen reunion with Tom. Being in his presence was not just a job; it felt like being part of a comfortable, easy-going setting. Working alongside such a distinguished actor as Tom made the experience less like work and more like a delightful privilege.

Outside of acting, Kilmer had a passion for visual arts, working with both photography and paint.

He expressed his delight in the instant gratification that comes from painting, in all its aspects. He’s always held this sentiment, which might explain his interest in filmmaking. However, what truly makes it rewarding for him is collaborating with numerous gifted artists and exploring new creative frontiers. This process, he believes, nourishes his creativity and brings healing to his soul.

He expressed that spending two hours entertaining brings immense fulfillment and inspiration, adding that the ability to share this gift is an incredible joy in the context of acting.

Kilmer leaves behind loved ones such as friends, family, and his two children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer, from his former spouse, Joanne Whalley.

Outside of acting, Kilmer had a passion for visual arts, working with both photography and paint.

He expressed his delight about the instant gratification he gets from painting in any form, stating this to the media. He’s always felt this way, perhaps explaining his attraction to filmmaking. But what truly satisfies him is collaborating with other gifted artists, exploring new creative horizons, and finding it both rewarding and therapeutic.

Regardless if he stood before the camera or wielded a brush before a canvas, Kilmer’s artistic pursuit was always centered on inciting heightened focus and attention.

He found immense fulfillment and inspiration in entertaining for two straight hours while acting, and expressed that being capable of offering this gift was an unparalleled source of joy.

Kilmer leaves behind his loved ones, such as friends, family, and his two children from his former wife Joanne Whalley: Mercedes and Jack Kilmer.

For a look at Kilmer’s life in photos, keep reading…