Val Kilmer, the actor best known for roles in Top Gun, The Doors, and Batman Forever, died Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 65. His death was caused by pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes confirmed to U.S. media.
Kilmer’s passing comes after years of public and private health struggles, most notably his long battle with throat cancer. Diagnosed in 2014, Kilmer initially denied the diagnosis publicly before confirming it in a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I was too serious,” Kilmer said at the time. “I’d get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way.”
Why It Matters
Kilmer’s illness significantly impacted his career and public appearances. After undergoing a tracheotomy and radiation treatments, he lost the ability to speak naturally. His condition became more widely known through the 2021 documentary Val, which chronicled his health journey alongside rare footage from decades of his personal and professional life.
Despite these limitations, Kilmer made a celebrated return to film in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his 1986 role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky from the original movie. The scene was adapted to accommodate his condition, using brief dialogue and onscreen text. In a 2021 statement to People, Kilmer discussed regaining his voice via artificial intelligence: “I’m grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who restored my voice in a way I never imagined possible.”
What to Know
Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles. He enrolled at the Juilliard School at age 17, becoming the youngest person at the time to be accepted into its drama division. Over the next three decades, he built a diverse and acclaimed career, portraying figures ranging from Jim Morrison to Doc Holliday.
His health struggles became a defining part of his later years. In addition to the physical toll, Kilmer also explored the spiritual dimensions of his journey. He remained a practicing Christian Scientist, a faith that initially complicated his approach to conventional medical treatment. By 2017, however, Kilmer acknowledged he had undergone extensive care and surgeries related to his cancer.
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What People Are Saying
Tributes poured in following the announcement of his death.
Actor Josh Brolin posted on Instagram: “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. 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. ❤️💔❤️💔❤️💔💎 #valkilmer #marktwain”
Frozen star Josh Gad said via Instagram: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon. #valkilmer”
Golden Globe Award winner James Woods posted on X, formerly Twitter: His rendition of Doc Holliday in Tombstone was what every actor dreams of achieving. So many wonderful performances. Sad to lose him so soon. RIP Val Kilmer.”
Actor and filmmaker Matthew Modine wrote on X: “RIP Val Kilmer. If it wasn’t for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in FULL METAL JACKET. Thanks, Val. 🙏☮️”
What’s Next
Kilmer is survived by his two children, Jack and Mercedes, whom he shared with actress Joanne Whalley. Plans for a memorial have not been publicly announced.
As fans revisit his performances—from Iceman to Batman—Val Kilmer’s legacy remains defined not only by his onscreen characters, but also by his creative persistence through profound personal challenges.
Correction, 4/2/25, 4:37 a.m. ET: The copy previously stated that Kilmer died on Thursday. This has been updated to Tuesday.
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