Val Kilmer, the iconic actor known for his standout roles in ’80s and ’90s hits like Top Gun, Batman Forever, and Tombstone, has died at the age of 65. He died from due to complications from pneumonia
His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that he passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles per The Associated Press.
Kilmer had been battling throat cancer since 2015 and underwent a tracheotomy as part of his treatment, which significantly affected his ability to speak.
Val Edward Kilmer (December 31, 1959 – April 1, 2025) was an American actor celebrated for his versatility and dedication to his craft. Born in Los Angeles, California, he was the second of three sons to Gladys Swanette (née Ekstadt) and Eugene Dorris Kilmer. His mother had Swedish roots, while his father’s heritage included German, Irish, and Cherokee ancestry. Kilmer’s parents divorced when he was eight years old. Tragically, his younger brother, Wesley, passed away at the age of 15 due to an epileptic seizure in a swimming pool. Kilmer attended Chatsworth High School, where he was classmates with future actors Kevin Spacey and Mare Winningham. Demonstrating early promise in acting, he became the youngest person accepted into Juilliard’s Drama Division at the age of 17.
He made his film debut in the comedy “Top Secret!” (1984) and subsequently starred in “Real Genius” (1985). His role as Lieutenant Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in “Top Gun” (1986) made him a star. Kilmer continued to showcase his range with performances in “Willow” (1988) and delivered a critically acclaimed portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” (1991), where he performed his own singing parts. He further demonstrated his versatility with roles such as Doc Holliday in “Tombstone” (1993), Batman in “Batman Forever” (1995), and appearances in “Heat” (1995), “The Saint” (1997), and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005).
In his personal life, Kilmer was married to actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 until their divorce in 1996. The couple had two children, a daughter named Mercedes and a son named Jack. Throughout his career, Kilmer was known for his intense commitment to his roles, which sometimes led to a reputation for being challenging to work with on set.
In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer, leading to treatments that affected his vocal cords and necessitated a tracheostomy. Despite these health challenges, he remained active in the industry, making a notable return as Iceman in “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022), where his voice was recreated using artificial intelligence due to his speech limitations.
