Val Kilmer, the American actor famous for his role in the superhero film ‘Batman Forever’, has died at age 65.
According to The New York Times, Mercedes Kilmer, his daughter, confirmed that the film star died on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Mercedes revealed that the cause of his death was pneumonia. She also said he was earlier diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but recovered from the disease.
Several colleagues in the film industry have taken to social media to pay their last respects to Kilmer.
In an Instagram post, actor Josh Brolin shared a photo of them while describing him as a “challenging, brave, and uber-creative firecracker”.
“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. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts,” he wrote.
In his tribute, Michael Mann, the director, recalled admiring Val’s range and depth while working with him on ‘Heat’. He also acknowledged his enduring spirit despite years of illness.
“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,” he wrote.
“After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.”
Actor Josh Gad mourned his colleague via Instagram, saying: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Born Val Edward Kilmer, the film star grew up in a middle-class family in Los Angeles. At age 17, he became the then-youngest pupil to enroll at the prestigious Julliard School in New York.
He started his career as a stage actor. However, he got his big break in the industry in the mid-1980s and rose to fame after he was featured in the film ‘Top Gun’.
With a career spanning over three decades, Kilmer starred in several movies including ‘The Ghost and the Darkness,’ ‘The Saint,’ ‘The Prince of Egypt,’ ‘Alexander,’ ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,’ and ‘The Snowman’.
Despite his success, he was known for being “difficult to work with” and had feuds with several actors and directors.
In 2017, Kilmer revealed his battle with throat cancer. A few years later, he underwent a tracheotomy that altered his voice, leading him to step away from acting.
However, he made a return in 2020, starring in ‘Paydirt’ alongside his daughter and reprising his role as Iceman in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.
Kilmer married actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 to 1996, and they share two children.
Copyright 2025 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle