Val Kilmer, the renowned actor known for his roles in 1980s and 1990s blockbusters including “Batman Forever” and “Top Gun,” passed away at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed to the New York Times that he succumbed to pneumonia. Born on December 31, 1959, Kilmer had been battling throat cancer for nearly a decade, a condition that led him to undergo chemotherapy and two tracheotomies, ultimately leaving him unable to speak. Before his diagnosis, Kilmer was a prominent figure in hit films such as “Tombstone,” “Heat,” and “The Saint.” He maintained a steady presence in the film industry throughout the 2010s and 2020s, appearing in movies like “MacGruber,” “Planes,” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” In 2021, his life was documented in the film “Val,” which chronicled his experiences up to that point.
Kilmer also had a notable career in television, often guest-starring on shows such as “Psych” and “Entourage,” and providing the voice of KITT in the “Knight Rider” reboot. Recently, he “reprised” his role as Madmartigan in Disney+’s “Willow” sequel series through archive footage from the 1988 film. This was accomplished with the assistance of his son Jack, whose voice bore a striking resemblance to Kilmer’s, combined with AI technology to recreate his performance from the original movie.
Following the announcement of Kilmer’s passing, tributes from Hollywood figures began to surface. Josh Brolin described Kilmer as “a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,” expressing hopes of reuniting with him in the afterlife. Josh Gad expressed gratitude for Kilmer’s influence on the films of his childhood, calling him “an icon.”
Industrial Light and Magic also paid tribute, stating, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague, Val Kilmer. From his memorable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, Val cemented himself as one of the greats. He will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Kilmer leaves behind two children and his ex-wife, Joanne Whalley, and condolences are extended to them during this difficult period.