Top Gun and Batman Forever actor Val Kilmer passes away aged 65
Hollywood pays tribute to Kilmer, remembered for his intense and transformative roles
DUBAI: Val Kilmer, the celebrated actor known for his roles in Top Gun, Tombstone, and Batman Forever, has died at the age of 65.
His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to The New York Times that he passed away from pneumonia in Los Angeles.
Kilmer, who had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, underwent treatment that left him with a severely impaired voice. Despite his health struggles, he continued to work in the industry, even making a touching AI-assisted cameo in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, reprising his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky.
Rise to stardom
Born Val Edward Kilmer on 31 December 1959, he grew up in Los Angeles in a Christian Scientist household. His passion for acting led him to become the youngest student accepted into the prestigious Juilliard School at the time.
His Hollywood breakthrough came in 1986 with Top Gun, where he starred alongside Tom Cruise. However, Kilmer almost turned down the role. In his memoir, he revealed he was uninterested in the film but accepted the part after director Tony Scott assured him the role would be expanded.
Kilmer’s career flourished in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He demonstrated his comedic skills in Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985) before venturing into fantasy with Willow (1988). In the early ’90s, he transformed into Jim Morrison for Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991), a performance that earned him critical acclaim. To prepare, Kilmer immersed himself in Morrison’s world, even wearing leather pants daily and insisting that cast and crew address him as Morrison.
Hollywood highs and lows
In 1993, he played the legendary Doc Holliday in Tombstone, earning widespread praise. His commitment to roles was infamous – during Tombstone, he filled his bed with ice to simulate the final moments of his tuberculosis-stricken character.
His career reached another peak in 1995 when he starred in Batman Forever, replacing Michael Keaton as the caped crusader. However, behind the scenes, tensions ran high. Director Joel Schumacher later called Kilmer “the most psychologically troubled human being I’ve ever worked with.” He left the franchise after just one film.
Kilmer’s reputation for being difficult to work with began to overshadow his talent. His later projects included The Saint (1997) and The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), the latter infamous for on-set chaos involving co-star Marlon Brando. The string of underperforming films caused his career to stall, though he continued to work steadily in smaller roles and independent projects.
Later years and legacy
In 2021, Kilmer shared his own story in the documentary Val, which premiered at Cannes. The film, compiled from decades of home videos, provided an intimate look at his life, career, and battle with cancer.
Tributes have poured in following his death. Actor Josh Brolin described him as a “brave, uber-creative firecracker,” while fans have remembered his dedication to his craft.
Kilmer is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack, from his marriage to actress Joanne Whalley.