According to CNN Indonesia, Val Kilmer, the legendary actor who played in the films; ‘Top Gun’, ‘Batman Forever’, and ‘Tombstone’, passes away at the age of 65, Tuesday, April 1, 2025 local time. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, said that her father died of pneumonia.
Kilmer had recovered from throat cancer in 2014. The tracheotomy procedure he underwent to treat the disease changed Kilmer’s voice forever. Even so, he still acted in the movie ‘Top Gun: Maverick‘ which was released in 2022. In the movie, Kilmer plays the character Iceman, whose story in the movie dies of illness.
1. Val Kilmer Passes Away Accompanied by His Friends and Family
The Batman film actor and also the figure of Jim Morrison died of pneumonia. This news was conveyed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, launching The New York Times. Val Kilmer died on Tuesday, April 1, in Los Angeles, United States, at the age of 65.
Mercedes revealed that her father had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, but had recovered after undergoing chemotherapy and trachea surgery. This procedure affected his ability to speak. When she passed away, Val Kilmer was surrounded by her family and friends. Mercedes Kilmer confirmed this via email to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, actor Josh Brolin expressed his sorrow over Val Kilmer’s passing. Brolin described Kilmer as smart, brave, and extremely talented.
“Goodbye, friend. May we meet again in heaven when I get there,” Brolin wrote, quoting Kumparan.
Director Michael Mann told the Hollywood Reporter that he has great respect for Kilmer. They worked together on the movie Heat.
“While working with Val on Heat, I was very impressed with her wide-ranging acting skills and her ability to delve deeply into characters. After all these years of Val battling illness but staying positive, this news is very sad,” Mann said.
2. Val Kilmer’s Career
Kilmer’s career in Hollywood has been an interesting one. Born in San Fernando Valley, California, he studied at the Juilliard School and made his film debut in the comedy ‘Top Secret!’ in 1984.
His name skyrocketed thanks to his role as Iceman in the movie ‘Top Gun’ in 1986, and he continued to have success with many movies in the 1990s. Kilmer also played Batman in ‘Batman Forever’ in 1995, became Doc Holliday in ‘Tombstone’ in 1993, and played Jim Morrison in ‘The Doors’ in 1991.
The 1995 crime film ‘Heat’ is also one of the great achievements in his career. Apart from acting in films, Kilmer also performed in the theater with a monologue show titled ‘Citizen Twain,’ which tells the life of Mark Twain.
In 2021, Val Kilmer made a documentary about his life called ‘Val’. Due to health issues, his son Jack took on the narration voice in this movie, whose voice reminds us of Kilmer in his youth.
Despite experiencing many hardships in his life, Kilmer always felt that his life was extraordinary and full of grace. Until the end of his life, he was remembered as a talented actor with memorable movie works.
