Val Kilmer, the iconic American actor who rose to fame with Top Gun and went on to star as Batman and Jim Morrison, has passed away at 65, according to a report from the New York Times on Tuesday. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that the cause of death was pneumonia. Kilmer had previously battled throat cancer, diagnosed in 2014, but had recovered, she said.
Kilmer, originally a stage actor, gained widespread recognition in the 1980s. He made his big-screen debut in 1984 as a rock star in the Cold War spoof Top Secret! and quickly became a household name in 1986 when he played the cocky fighter pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun, opposite Tom Cruise’s “Maverick.”
A versatile actor whose career spanned decades, Kilmer alternated between blockbuster hits and smaller independent films. He cemented his status as a leading man in Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991), where he portrayed Jim Morrison, and went on to star in Heat (1995) alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. He also took on the role of the masked vigilante in Batman Forever (1995), a pivotal moment between Michael Keaton’s and George Clooney’s portrayals of Gotham’s protector.
Known for his often eccentric personality, Kilmer was famously described as “The Man Hollywood Loves to Hate” in a 1996 Entertainment Weekly cover story, due to his sometimes difficult reputation on set. However, a 2002 New York Times interview found him to be much more approachable, describing him as friendly and candid, often sharing personal stories and laughing at himself.
Born Val Edward Kilmer on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, Kilmer was a child actor in commercials before becoming the youngest person ever accepted into New York’s prestigious Juilliard School. He made his Broadway debut in 1983 alongside Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon. While Kilmer had always dreamed of making serious films, much of his early career was spent in big-budget blockbusters, some of which underperformed.
After years of fluctuating success in Hollywood, Kilmer began to mount a comeback in the 2010s, notably with a stage show about Mark Twain. His efforts were interrupted by a cancer diagnosis, but he continued to pursue his passion. In 2021, the documentary Val premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, offering an intimate look at Kilmer’s career and personal struggles, including his battle with cancer and the effects it had on his health.
When he reprised his role as “Iceman” in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), the film incorporated Kilmer’s real-life health challenges, making his appearance even more poignant. Critics noted that rather than being a mere nostalgic callback, his return offered a memorable, timeless moment.
On his personal website, Kilmer reflected on his extraordinary life: “For more than half a century, I have been honing my art, no matter the medium. Be it literature, movies, poetry, painting, music, or tracking exotic and beautiful wildlife.” He is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer.