Val Kilmer Dies at 65: Remembering the Iconic Star of Top Gun, Batman Forever, and More
Val Kilmer, the Hollywood actor who starred in some of the biggest films of the 1980s and 90s, including Top Gun and Batman Forever, has died at the age of 65.
He also featured in the 1991 biopic The Doors, portraying legendary frontman Jim Morrison, and delivered standout performances in the Western Tombstone and the crime drama Heat.
Kilmer passed away from pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday, according to his daughter Mercedes. She noted that her father had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but had later recovered.
Following a tracheotomy, his voice was permanently altered, which significantly impacted his acting career. Nevertheless, he made a powerful return to the screen in 2022, reprising his iconic role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, alongside Tom Cruise.
Born Val Edward Kilmer on December 31, 1959, he was raised in a middle-class family in Los Angeles. His parents were devout Christian Scientists, a faith Kilmer continued to follow throughout his life.
At just 17, Kilmer became the youngest student ever admitted to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, known for nurturing world-class actors.
He first made a name for himself in comedies like Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985), but it was his portrayal of Iceman in Top Gun (1986) that cemented his status as a Hollywood star.
Kilmer starred in Willow and Kill Me Again, both alongside British actress Joanne Whalley, whom he married in 1988. The couple had two children before divorcing.
He won acclaim for his performance as Jim Morrison in The Doors, capturing the singer's essence two decades after his death. Other standout roles included Doc Holliday in Tombstone and a turn alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat.
In 1995, he donned the cape as Batman in Batman Forever, following Michael Keaton’s departure. The film was a commercial success, though Kilmer declined to return for the sequel.
In 1997, Kilmer starred in The Saint, portraying a master thief and master of disguise. He also lent his voice to both God and Moses in The Prince of Egypt and played a role in the troubled production of The Island of Dr. Moreau—a notorious flop that led director John Frankenheimer to vow never to work with Kilmer again.
Despite challenges, Kilmer’s creativity continued. In 2021, he released a documentary titled Val, offering an intimate look into his life and career. The film, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, included 40 years of personal footage, even showing him using a voice box post-surgery.
Though his acting career had slowed, his brief but emotional return as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick resonated with fans and peers alike. Tom Cruise remarked, “I’ve known Val for decades, and having him come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.”
In addition to acting, Kilmer was a talented painter, often creating artwork inspired by his film roles—a true artist until the end.
