Val Kilmer, a versatile Hollywood actor widely known for portraying Batman and rock icon Jim Morrison, died Tuesday in Los Angeles from pneumonia, his daughter confirmed. He was 65! Kilmer had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but he had recovered from the illness, his daughter revealed.
Tracheotomy surgery affected his voice and curtailed his acting career, nut he returned to the screen to reprise his role as fighter pilot Iceman alongside Tom Cruise in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick.
Born Val Edward Kilmer on 31 December 1959, Kilmer grew up in a middle-class family in Los Angeles. His parents were Christian Scientists, a movement to which Kilmer would adhere for the rest of his life.
At the age of just 17, he became the then-youngest pupil to enroll at the Julliard School, in New York, one of the world’s most prestigious drama conservatories. Kilmer had two children with his ex-wife, actress Joanne Whalley.
Kilmer’s rise to prominence goes way back to the 1980s and he had an acting career spanning four decades. He made his feature film debut in the 1984 comedy ‘Top Secret,’ playing an American singer entangled in East German espionage. He appeared as Tom Cruise’s rival in the 1986 film “Top Gun.”
His career in the entertainment industry reached greater heights with his portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s ‘The Doors’ in 1991 and later took on the coveted role of Batman in 1995’s ‘Batman Forever,’ following Michael Keaton in the franchise.
In the course of his career, Kilmer held diverse roles, such as an FBI agent in ‘Thunderheart’ and the title character in ‘The Saint.’ He also appeared as Elvis in a memorable cameo in the Quentin Tarantino-scripted “True Romance.”
Known for his iconic role as Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in the 1986 film ‘Top Gun,’ he made a memorable appearance in the sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” Despite his health challenges, Kilmer’s performance was heartfelt and resonated with fans.
“See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you,” American actor Josh Brolin wrote alongside a picture of himself and Kilmer on Instagram. “You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those,” he added.
In 2021, Kilmer released a documentary chronicling the highs and lows of his life and career. Val, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival features 40 years of home recordings, including him speaking with a voice box post-cancer surgery.
