It is with great sadness that we share the news of Val Kilmer’s passing in Los Angeles at the age of 65, following a brief struggle with pneumonia. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed his death to The New York Times earlier this evening, marking the end of a storied career that spanned decades of memorable performances.
Though he had reportedly been contending with pneumonia in recent weeks, Kilmer also faced a long and arduous battle with throat cancer dating back to 2015. In an effort to treat the disease, he underwent a series of interventions, including chemotherapy and multiple tracheotomies, one of which significantly impaired his vocal cords. Despite these health challenges, Kilmer had continued to appear in projects and remained in the public eye, even as his speaking voice became severely limited.
He is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer, both adults now, whose mother is Kilmer’s former spouse, Joanne Whalley. Throughout his life, Kilmer’s dedication to his family was evident, as he balanced his commitment to his loved ones with a prolific career that soared to extraordinary heights in Hollywood.
Kilmer rose to fame with his breakout role in 1986’s Top Gun, portraying Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Though he had already shown promise in earlier work, this part firmly established him as a household name. He continued to build an impressive résumé with a remarkable turn as Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991), earning acclaim for his uncanny embodiment of the iconic rock star. He then delivered a string of high-profile performances, including his portrayal of Doc Holliday in 1993’s Tombstone, a turn that remains a fan favorite, and his assumption of the mantle of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever (1995). He further left his mark in 1995’s Heat, playing a skilled criminal who matches wits with Robert De Niro’s and Al Pacino’s characters.
Other notable credits include Real Genius, Willow, Thunderheart, The Saint, True Romance, The Ghost and the Darkness, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Déjà Vu, Wonderland, MacGruber, and The Snowman. Kilmer’s final on-screen appearance came in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, reprising Iceman in a poignant cameo that functioned as a fitting goodbye to one of his most iconic roles.
To many fans, he will always be best remembered for his portrayal of Batman in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever. The film, while not universally praised by critics, was a substantial box office success, earning over $336.6 million against a budget of around $100 million. Reflecting on the role, Kilmer once recalled the isolation of donning the cape and cowl, noting that the heavy costume limited his mobility and dulled some of the excitement he had initially felt about playing the Dark Knight.
His life and health struggles were documented in the 2021 film Val, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim. In that documentary, Kilmer spoke frankly about the difficulties of living with a damaged trachea and about his experiences wearing the Batsuit. While his health battles were arduous, Kilmer never ceased being passionate about his craft, continuing to inspire fans, friends, and colleagues alike. He leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances and a storied filmography that will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
Revisit his final performance below:
Rest in peace, Val Kilmer.