Hollywood has lost one of its most unforgettable stars. Val Kilmer, the legendary actor known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and Heat, has passed away at the age of 64.
According to his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, the beloved star succumbed to complications from pneumonia on Tuesday.
Kilmer’s career spanned decades, captivating audiences with his undeniable talent, charm, and versatility. From playing the cocky fighter pilot Iceman in Top Gun to embodying the brooding Dark Knight in Batman Forever, his performances left a lasting impact on pop culture.
A Battle With Illness
In 2017, Kilmer publicly revealed his battle with throat cancer, though his daughter later shared that he had actually been diagnosed in 2014.
“Suddenly I awoke vomiting blood that covered the bed like a scene out of The Godfather,” Val Kilmer once shared.
An ambulance was called as “blood dripped down my body, my vision blurred, my energy drained,” he said, as per USA Today.
Despite undergoing treatment and eventually recovering, the disease took a toll on his voice, making public appearances and acting more challenging.
Still, he never let it dim his spirit.
Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise on the set of Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott. (Photo by Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)In 2022, Kilmer made a triumphant return to the big screen, reprising his iconic role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick. Though his health struggles had limited his ability to speak, his presence in the film was deeply emotional.
“For him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again. You’re looking at Iceman,” Cruise said in 2023 of the pair’s reunion in the blockbuster movie.
”I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional,” Cruise said.
According to his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, Val Kilmer passed away from pneumonia on Tuesday, April 1, as reported by The New York Times.
A Storied Career
Kilmer’s journey to stardom began on the Broadway stage before he made his big-screen debut in the 1984 comedy Top Secret!, where he played a rock star caught in a whirlwind of action and espionage. From there, he cemented himself as a Hollywood powerhouse with unforgettable performances in Willow, The Doors, Tombstone, and The Saint.
Even beyond Hollywood, Kilmer was a man of deep creativity and passion. He pursued painting, poetry, and even wrote a memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, offering fans an intimate glimpse into his life, struggles, and triumphs.
His Legacy Lives On
In 2021, the critically acclaimed documentary Val was released, offering a raw and personal look at Kilmer’s life through decades of his own footage. The film won multiple awards, further cementing his legacy not just as a star, but as a human being who lived with passion and resilience.
Away from the spotlight, Kilmer devoted much of his time to his two children, Mercedes and Jack, embracing fatherhood with the same dedication he brought to his craft.
Hollywood and fans around the world are mourning the loss of a true legend. Val Kilmer wasn’t just an actor — he was a force of nature, a storyteller, and an artist who left an indelible mark on the industry.
