Batman star Val Kilmer dies aged 65, his daughter has confirmed.
Kilmer starred in some of the greatest movies of the 1980s and 90s, including Top Gun, True Romance, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and The Doors, playing the legendary band’s frontman Jim Morrison.
According to Kilmer’s daughter’s statement, the actor died of pneumonia on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Back in 2014, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, with a tracheotomy surgery affecting his voice and his acting career.
In his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, and Amazon Prime documentary Val, he opened up about his cancer diagnosis, the treatments he had undergone, and how that damaged his vocal cords.
“I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel,” Kilmer said in the documentary. “I can’t speak without plugging this hole (in his throat). You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat.
“It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.”
His final acting role was a cameo in the 2022 blockbuster sequel, Top Gun: Maverick. During the filming, AI was used to help with his voice.
Speaking of the film, actor Tom Cruise told Jimmy Kimmel back in 2023, “I just want to say that was pretty emotional.
“I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.”
Val Kilmer’s last post on the social media was one of his paintings, captioned: It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you’re still wide awake.”
The last photo of him featured the actor alongside artist David Choe. “It’s been a while,” the post that showed them posing alongside painting featuring Batman and a mask of the hero read. It was posted on February 23, 2025.
Tributes poured in for the great actor who left an immense impact on the film industry.
Heat director Michael Mann said: “While working with Val on Heat I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character.
“After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.”
Actor Josh Gad posted: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
“See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you”, US 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.
Actor Josh Brolin posted: “You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.”
His fans also honored great Val Kilmer.
He was married to actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 to 1996 welcoming two children together. The two met during the filming of Willow.
May he rest in peace.
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