After a battle with throat cancer and lingering health issues, actor Val Kilmer has passed away at the age of 65. According to his daughter, Mercedes (whose mother is Kilmer’s former wife, British actress Joanna Whalley, he died in Los Angeles of pneumonia.
Born in Los Angeles on , Val Edward Kilmer was raised in the San Fernando Valley before moving to New York to study at Juilliard. With his handsome good looks and his charming charisma, he landed roles as Chris Knight in Real Genius and Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in 1986’s Top Gun.
He went on to play such iconic roles as Jim Morrison in The Doors and Doc Holliday in Tombstone. Some of his other films included Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Willow, The Saint, and Heat.
He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, and in his 2021 documentary, Val, he was filmed with a breathing tube. He also published his memoir in 2020 titled, I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir.
He had a small cameo in the 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, where he reprised his role as Iceman, though he clearly had a hard time speaking, as he had previously undergone two tracheotomies, which damaged his vocal cords.
Kilmer is survived by his daughter, Mercedes, and his son, Jack.
Kilmer’s family released a statement expressing their grief and gratitude for the outpouring of love from fans worldwide. “Val was a fighter, an artist, and a devoted father. His passion for storytelling and his ability to bring characters to life will never be forgotten.”
As tributes pour in from Hollywood and beyond, Kilmer's influence on cinema and the lives he touched will continue to be celebrated for years to come. His remarkable career and unwavering spirit leave behind a legacy that will never fade.
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