Val Kilmer, the celebrated Hollywood actor renowned for his roles in iconic films such as Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, has died at the age of 65.
His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the news to the press on Wednesday, revealing that he passed away from pneumonia at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 1. Fans and colleagues are mourning the loss of the talented actor, who leaves behind a lasting legacy in the film industry.
Paramount Pictures paid tribute to Kilmer on social media, with a heartfelt post from both the company and the official Top Gun Instagram account that read, “Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman.”
In 2014, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer, a challenging battle that left him unable to speak and largely kept him out of the spotlight for several years. He candidly discussed his journey through diagnosis and recovery in his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, and the Amazon Prime documentary Val.
During his treatment, Kilmer underwent radiation and chemotherapy as well as a tracheostomy, which affected his vocal cords.
He reflected on these challenges in the documentary, saying, “I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel… I can’t speak without plugging this hole (in his throat). You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.”
Val Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles to real estate developer Eugene Kilmer and homemaker Gladys. He was the middle child of three sons and attended Chatsworth High School alongside Kevin Spacey and Mare Winningham. At just 17, he became the youngest person accepted into Juilliard.
Kilmer achieved fame with his breakthrough role in Top Secret! in 1984, followed by Real Genius in 1985. In 1988, he married actress Joanne Whalley, whom he met while filming Willow. The couple had two children before their divorce in 1996.
