by Temitope Oladeji
2/4/2025
Val Kilmer, the acclaimed Hollywood actor known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65.
His death was announced to the United States media by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, that he died of pneumonia on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
The Hollywood star had previously battled throat cancer, which was diagnosed in 2014, and underwent a tracheotomy that affected his voice and slowed his acting career.
Val Edward Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles. He grew up in a Christian Scientist household and remained devoted to the Christian faith throughout his life.
At just 17, he became the youngest student at the time to be accepted into the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where he honed his craft in drama.
Kilmer’s early career saw him rise to fame with comedic roles in Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985).
However, his major breakout moment came in 1986 when he portrayed Iceman, the rival to Tom Cruise’s Maverick, in Top Gun, one of the defining films of the decade.
His career continued to flourish in the late 1980s and 1990s. He starred in fantasy adventure Willow and crime thriller Kill Me Again, both alongside British actress Joanne Whalley, whom he married in 1988. The union was blessed with two children before divorcing in 1996.
Kilmer delivered a memorable performance as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 film The Doors, embodying the legendary rock star with remarkable accuracy.
He went further and cemented his status in the Hollywood Hall of Fame with roles in Tombstone (1993), where he played gunfighter Doc Holliday, and Heat (1995), starring alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
In 1995, Kilmer stepped into the shoes of the Caped Crusader, taking over the role of Batman from Michael Keaton in Batman Forever.
The film was a commercial success, but Kilmer declined to return for the sequel. He went on to star in The Saint (1997) and provided the voice of both God and Moses in The Prince of Egypt (1998).
However, his career faced challenges following The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), a troubled production that became one of Hollywood’s most infamous flops. Director John Frankenheimer famously stated that he would never work with Kilmer again, as the actor had gained a reputation for being difficult on set.
Despite his health struggles, Kilmer made a triumphant return to the screen in 2022, reprising his iconic role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, reuniting with Tom Cruise. His appearance in the film was widely celebrated by fans and critics alike.
Following the tragic news of his passing, tributes have poured in from across the Hollywood industry.
Director Michael Mann, who worked with Kilmer on Heat, reflected on his talent:
“While working with Val on Heat, I always marveled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character. After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.”
Actor Josh Gad wrote: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Josh Brolin shared a heartfelt tribute alongside a photo of himself with Kilmer, saying:
“See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those.”
James Woods also honored his legacy, praising his performance in Tombstone:
“His rendition of Doc Holliday in Tombstone was what every actor dreams of achieving. So many wonderful performances. Sad to lose him so soon.”
Actor Will Kemp, who co-starred with Kilmer in Mindhunters (2004), wrote:
“So many great memories of working with him. He was fun, unpredictable, generous, and overall very kind to me when I was new to the job.”
Kilmer leaves behind a legacy of iconic roles, unforgettable performances, and an enduring impact on Hollywood.