Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, known for his roles in “Top Gun” and “Batman Forever,” passed away at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on April 1. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed to the media that Kilmer succumbed to pneumonia after battling throat cancer and undergoing chemotherapy and a tracheostomy, resulting in difficulties with speech. In a 2020 interview with “Good Morning America,” Kilmer described his communication struggles post-surgery as akin to learning a new language or dialect, emphasizing the need to find alternative ways to express oneself.
In 2021, the documentary film “Val,” directed by Leo Scott and Ting Poo, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving acclaim and accolades such as “Best Documentary Feature” and “Best Narration Award” from critics. The film, featuring Kilmer’s own footage portraying his childhood, family life, career, behind-the-scenes moments, and his battle with throat cancer, was praised on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes as a profound introspective documentary offering an intimate look into Kilmer’s unique life and career journey.
Kilmer’s final film appearance was in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” where he reprised his role as Navy Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, occasionally using written communication in place of speech. Co-starring alongside Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, the film marked the return of both actors from the original 1986 “Top Gun.” “Top Gun: Maverick” received critical acclaim, winning the Best Picture award from the National Board of Review and being recognized as one of the top ten films of 2022 by the American Film Institute, grossing $1.496 billion worldwide.
Val Kilmer rose to fame in 1986 with his portrayal of “Iceman” in “Top Gun,” which grossed $344 million at the box office. In 1995, he took on the role of the superhero Batman in Joel Schumacher’s “Batman Forever,” which surpassed $336 million in box office earnings despite mixed reviews and a departure from the tone of the previous Batman films. Kilmer, known as one of the highest-earning actors of the 1990s, amassed over $3.7 billion in global box office revenues throughout his career, spanning 81 films and 16 television series across various genres like comedy, drama, action-adventure, westerns, historical dramas, crime thrillers, science fiction, and fantasy.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Kilmer was a devout Christian throughout his life. At the age of 17, he became the youngest student ever admitted to the drama department of the Juilliard School. Initially a stage actor, Kilmer transitioned to film and television, showcasing his versatility as an actor over the years. In 2012, he starred in a one-man show he wrote called “Citizen Twain” in Los Angeles, portraying the iconic Mark Twain.