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Hollywood Mourns Val Kilmer: Top Gun and Batman Star Dies at 65
Val Kilmer, the celebrated Hollywood actor best known for his memorable roles in blockbuster films such as Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65 after a prolonged battle with illness. News of his death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow celebrities alike, commemorating his iconic career.
Mercedes Kilmer, his daughter with former wife Joanne Whalley, confirmed that the screen legend succumbed to pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The esteemed actor received a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2014. He underwent extensive treatment, including a tracheotomy, which significantly impacted his vocal ability, though he was later declared cancer-free. Despite the permanent alteration to his voice, Kilmer made a poignant return to the screen in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his role as Iceman.
Kilmer’s portrayal of rock icon Jim Morrison in the 1991 movie The Doors remains another career highlight.
In addition to Mercedes, 33, he is survived by his son Jack Kilmer, 29. He was married to actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 to 1996.
Below is live coverage as tributes continue to flood in for the beloved Top Gun star.
Remembering Val Kilmer’s Iconic Roles
Emotional Return: Val Kilmer’s Voice Regenerated in Top Gun Sequel
Val Kilmer’s final film appearance resonated deeply with audiences as he reprised his role as Lieutenant Tom ‘Iceman‘ Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick.
Following the somber announcement of his death at 65 after a long health struggle, confirmed by his daughter Mercedes Kilmer, this poignant cinematic moment has resurfaced online.
His return to the Top Gun franchise served as a powerful and moving chapter in his celebrated career.
Video: A Look Back at Val Kilmer’s Top Performances
Main Story: Read Comprehensive Coverage on MailOnline
Val Kilmer’s Cancer Journey
The acclaimed actor’s health challenges began when he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. He bravely underwent surgery and treatment, including a tracheotomy, significantly affecting his speech.
Despite these hurdles, he achieved remission and was declared cancer-free.
Kilmer’s treatment regimen involved both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, alongside a tracheostomy, a surgical procedure to create an opening in the neck to aid breathing.
This procedure resulted in lasting damage to his vocal cords, permanently changing his speaking voice.
Michael Mann’s Tribute to Val Kilmer
Legendary filmmaker Michael Mann, who directed Kilmer in the crime thriller Heat, honored the late actor in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
‘Working with Val on Heat, I was consistently amazed by his range, the remarkable variability within the strong current of his character portrayals,’ Mann stated.
‘After years of Val’s courageous fight against illness and his steadfast spirit, this news is profoundly sad.’
Val Kilmer’s Personal Life
Beyond his professional achievements, Val Kilmer is survived by his daughter Mercedes, 33, and son Jack Kilmer, 29. He shared these children with actress Joanne Whalley, to whom he was married from 1988 to 1996.
In his 2020 memoir, ‘I’m Your Huckleberry,’ Kilmer disclosed that he had been single since 2000.
Although linked to actresses Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie in the past, these were reportedly not long-term commitments. Kilmer had a history of romances with notable women, including Daryl Hannah and Cindy Crawford.
He expressed particular gratitude for his former girlfriend Cher, who provided him with her Malibu guesthouse after his throat cancer diagnosis in 2015.
‘Once Cher enters your life, she never truly leaves your thoughts and heart. For her devoted friends, her unwavering love and loyalty are eternal,’ Kilmer penned.
Early Career and Rise to Stardom
Born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, to Gladys Swanette and Eugene Dorris Kilmer, Val Kilmer‘s journey to fame began early.
His parents divorced when he was eight. Tragedy struck his family when his younger brother Wesley passed away in a drowning accident at 15.
Kilmer’s educational path included Chatsworth High School, where he was classmates with Kevin Spacey. He later achieved the distinction of being the youngest individual admitted to Juilliard School’s Drama Group at the time.
His acting career launched with his film debut in the spy parody Top Secret! (1984), followed by the comedy Real Genius (1985).
Val Kilmer’s Candid Documentary
Val Kilmer‘s 2021 Amazon Prime documentary, ‘Val,’ offered an intimate look at his life after throat cancer. He openly discussed the challenges, including using a voice box to speak through the tracheotomy opening.
‘I sound considerably worse than I feel. Speaking requires me to manually cover this hole [in my throat],’ he explained in the documentary.
A voice box, typically battery-operated, generates sound to enable speech for individuals with throat cancer.
Kilmer also detailed other difficulties, such as relying on a feeding tube for meals.
‘You are forced to choose between breathing and eating. This is a constant reality for anyone who sees me,’ he shared.
The documentary featured voice-over narration by Val’s son, using words penned by Val himself.
Top Gun: The Role That Defined a Generation
Though Val Kilmer had an extensive filmography, he is perhaps most recognized as LT Tom ‘Iceman‘ Kazansky from Top Gun (1986), the rival and eventual ally of Tom Cruise’s Maverick.
Top Gun is celebrated as a defining film of the 1980s, and has been inducted into the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.
Fans Share Tributes to Val Kilmer
Documentary Return to Public Eye
In 2021, Val Kilmer returned to public attention with a critically acclaimed documentary about his life, released on Prime Video.
Narrated by his son, the film incorporated hundreds of hours of personal footage, providing insight into his film career and health struggles.
Kilmer’s Final Social Media Posts
One of Val Kilmer’s last social media posts before his death was on February 23, 2025.
He shared a video from 2021 featuring artist David Choe, showing Kilmer in seemingly good health.
In the clip, Kilmer briefly spoke, despite the damage to his vocal cords from cancer treatment, before trying on a custom Batman mask.
Referencing his role as Batman nearly three decades prior, Kilmer humorously remarked about revisiting his superhero days.
He also shared artwork and clips of Choe discussing his affection for Batman.
The post, without a caption, gained nearly 30,000 likes.
Kilmer’s final Instagram post, published on March 22, featured a photo of his painting available for sale on his website.
‘It’s got that late-night glow,’ he wrote about the painting, describing its cool tones and low burn.
Recap: Val Kilmer’s Cancer Battle and Passing
The celebrated actor was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, undergoing surgery and a tracheotomy, which affected his speech. He later overcame the cancer and was declared cancer-free.
Read the full story on MailOnline:
Tributes Highlight Kilmer’s Comedic Talent
Screenwriter Brian Lynch praised Kilmer’s versatility: ‘The Doors. Top Secret! Tombstone. Top Gun. Real Genius. Batman Forever. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. True Romance. Macgruber. Heat. There was nobody like Val Kilmer.’
Comedian Mike Drucker noted: ‘Val Kilmer felt like an actor who, no matter the material, always understood the assignment.’
Lucasfilm executive Pablo Hidalgo added: ‘His comedic chops were top notch but he had a fascinating storm roiling beneath the surface. Madmartigan was an icon.’
Top Gun’s Tribute: ‘RIP Iceman’
The official Top Gun account on X (formerly Twitter) shared a tribute:
Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman.
The Loss of Kilmer’s Brother in Youth
Val Kilmer‘s early life was spent in Los Angeles. He attended Chatsworth High with Kevin Spacey and Mare Winningham. He became the youngest drama student admitted to Juilliard at 17.
Shortly after starting at Juilliard, his 15-year-old brother Wesley tragically died from a seizure in a jacuzzi.
‘I miss him and his things. I display his art. I often think about his potential creations. He remains an inspiration,’ Kilmer shared.
While at Juilliard, Kilmer co-authored and acted in ‘How It All Began’ and chose a Broadway role over a part in ‘The Outsiders’.
Kilmer authored poetry, received a Grammy nomination for a spoken word album, and was a visual artist and Christian Scientist.
He had relationships with Cher and Joanne Whalley, and is survived by his children, Mercedes and Jack.
‘Art Over Commerce’ Philosophy
Val Kilmer, a Juilliard prodigy, experienced fame’s extremes. His career began with comedies like ‘Top Secret!’ and ‘Real Genius’.
He rose to prominence in the early 90s, starring in ‘Tombstone,’ ‘True Romance,’ and ‘Heat.’
Known for his intense method acting, Kilmer fully immersed himself in roles. However, his intensity sometimes led to a reputation for being difficult, though he defended his approach as prioritizing art.
His iconic role as Iceman in Top Gun was initially unwanted by Kilmer, who eventually accepted after assurances of script improvements. He reprised the role in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.
His portrayal of Batman in ‘Batman Forever’ was less favored, with criticisms directed at the film’s direction and his costume.
‘I Have No Regrets’: Kilmer’s Reflection
In his 2021 documentary, ‘Val,’ Val Kilmer reflected on his life and career:
I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed.
Touching Tributes Celebrate Val Kilmer’s Life
Richard Roeper: Kilmer, An ‘Incredible Presence’
Josh Gad: ‘You Truly Were an Icon’
Actor Josh Gad paid tribute to Val Kilmer on Instagram.
‘RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon,’ he wrote.
He shared this photo:
Josh Brolin: Kilmer, A ‘Brave, Uber-Creative Firecracker’
Josh Brolin described Kilmer as ‘smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker’.
On Instagram, alongside a photo of them, he wrote: ‘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.’
Kilmer with Ex-Wife Joanna Whalley in 1990
The news of Val Kilmer‘s death has deeply affected fans and the Hollywood community.
Mercedes Kilmer, his daughter with Joanne Whalley, confirmed he passed away from pneumonia in Los Angeles.
He is survived by Mercedes and son Jack. Kilmer was married to Joanne from 1988 to 1996.
Val Kilmer Passes Away at 65
Good morning, and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage on the passing of Top Gun star Val Kilmer at age 65.
His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, announced that he died from pneumonia on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Kilmer gained fame as Iceman in Top Gun and as Batman in Batman Forever. Despite vocal challenges, he returned to the screen for Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.
He is also remembered for portraying Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991).