Batman Forever, The Doors and Top Gun star Val Kilmer has passed away at the age of 65 in Los Angeles. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer announced the news, stating that pneumonia was the cause of the actor’s death. As per her interaction with The New York Times, he was also diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but had recovered well.
Val Kilmer made his debut in 1984, with the film Top Secret. He was associated with many hits, including Real Genius, Willow, Heat and The Saint, among others. Despite dealing with throat cancer, Val returned to work when he signed Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick in 2021. A documentary on his life was also released that year, which featured never-seen-before footage from his life. The film, titled Val, delves into Kilmer’s life, both professionally and personally, including his struggles with throat cancer, his career and his personal relationships. It was directed by Leo Scott and Ting Poo. Val’s son, Jack, provided the actor’s voice and the makers utilised his voice that he recorded over the years.
Fans have been sharing tributes on social media, calling the acting ace a “movie icon” and “eccentric original.”
Early Life
Val Kilmer was born in Los Angeles on December 31, 1959. He grew up in the Chatsworth neighbourhood. His younger brother Wesley drowned in a swimming pool in 1977. The event haunted Kilmer for years afterward. During an interview, Kilmer admitted being deeply affected. He said, “I didn’t really get back to earth until about two or three years after my brother died.”
He applied to the Juilliard School in New York. At 17, Val became one of the youngest students ever admitted to the acting program at the school. With the help of his classmates, he wrote and performed How It All Began. He then made his Broadway debut in 1983 with The Slab Boys.
He had married Joanne Whalley, but the marriage ended in divorce. Our condolences are with the family of the deceased.
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