Val Kilmer Dies: ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Doors’ & ‘Batman Forever’ Star Was 65on April 2, 2025 at 4:09 am

Val Kilmer, the Juilliard graduate with leading man looks known for taking on roles that went far beyond his appearance, has died. His his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to the New York Times that the actor had passed away after battling pneumonia. He was 65. Kilmer’s early films included comedies like Top Secret! (1984) and […]Val Kilmer, the Juilliard graduate with leading man looks known for taking on roles that went far beyond his appearance, has died. His his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to the New York Times that the actor had passed away after battling pneumonia. He was 65. Kilmer’s early films included comedies like Top Secret! (1984) and

Kilmer’s early films included comedies like Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985), as well as breakout role as LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986). That was followed by the fantasy film Willow (1988).

His breakout as a leading man came with his mesmerizing, leather-clad portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors.

After his outing as The Lizard King, Kilmer opted for scene-stealing co-starring roles in Tombstone (1993), True Romance (1993) and Heat (1995).

His next turn in a leading role came in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever (1995), which Kilmer originally hoped would be a “radical” take on the iconic superhero. That effort ultimately failed after Kilmer realized he would spend much of the film behind a mask and encased in foam padding.

“The trap was the suit,” he later said.

The Saint in 1997 was his next shot at a franchise role. It was a modest box office success, but ultimately didn’t spawn any sequels.

In 2012, Kilmer poured himself into Citizen Twain, a one plan play which saw the actor transformed — in a white suit, wig and shaggy mustache — into America’s greatest satirist, Mark Twain. Kilmer not only starred, he also wrote and directed the play.

Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015. A procedure performed as part of his treatment damaged his vocal cords and thereafter he had difficulty speaking. That, in turn, made acting difficult.

At one point, there was a brouhaha over a comment the actor made that some interpreted as a denial he had cancer. There were also rumors that Kilmer, a lifelong Christian Scientist, was trying to pray the disease away.

He later explained later to Deadline, “I was accused of not being forthright. Well, if years ago I had broken a leg and I was asked today if I have any broken bones, I would answer just as I did the cancer question: ‘No, I don’t have any.’ Because I believe that the power of prayer is as potent today as it was in Jesus’ time. There tends to speculation I haven’t done all I can do to be as healthy as I have a right to be. Extraordinary assumptions are often made about others when one considers what a complete mystery our own bodies are to most of us. People are often afraid of what they don’t understand. I was. I’m so grateful I’ve experienced firsthand what consistent prayer and love can offer.”

In 2021, the intensely-private star opened up with a documentary that detailed his life and health struggle called Val. Deadline’s review called it “an exhilarating, honest and raw look at the life of an actor, this actor, with all the trials and tribulations that go with a 40-year career in front of audiences…the victories and defeats, the will to carry on despite being dealt a devastating blow for any performer.”

Kilmer’s career was given a poignant coda when he reprised Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). His single scene opposite Cruise proved powerful and provided an emotional center to the film.

That was certainly the case for his superstar foil.

“I was crying, I got emotional,” Cruise later told Jimmy Kimmel of the scene. “For him to come back and play that character…he’s such a powerful actor, that he instantly became that character again…you’re looking at Iceman.”

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