Val Kilmer Iconic actor of Batman and Top Gun fame dies at 65

Val Kilmer, pictured here in 2011, had been battling throat cancer since 2014

Val Kilmer, the celebrated actor known for his roles as Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever and Jim Morrison in The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65. The cause of death was pneumonia, as confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes.

Kilmer had previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered. His health struggles were chronicled in the 2021 documentary Val, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to widespread acclaim.

Kilmer rose to fame starring in hit films such as “Top Gun” alongside Tom Cruise.

During the 1990s, Kilmer was among Hollywood’s biggest stars, though conflicts with directors and co-stars, along with a string of box office disappointments, affected his career. He developed a reputation for being intense, perfectionistic, and sometimes difficult to work with. In a 2003 interview, he addressed these criticisms, stating that he believed people labeled him as demanding to cover their own shortcomings.

Born in Los Angeles in 1959, Kilmer began his career in theater before making his film debut in the 1984 comedy Top Secret! He followed this with Real Genius in 1985 before turning down a role in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet to play LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun, a role that launched him to stardom.

In 1991, Val Kilmer cemented his status as a Hollywood A-lister thanks to his role as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors

Kilmer married actress Joanne Whalley, whom he met while filming Willow in 1988. They had two children before divorcing in 1996. One of his most iconic performances was as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors, a role for which he lost weight and spent months training his singing voice, eventually performing 15 of the 50 songs he rehearsed.

When Michael Keaton stepped away from Batman Forever, Kilmer took over the role. While the film was a box office success, grossing over $336 million, it also reinforced Kilmer’s reputation for being difficult on set. Director Joel Schumacher described Kilmer as troubled and difficult to work with, comparing his approach to managing Kilmer to handling a child.

Val Kilmer was later tasked with becoming the titular vigilante superhero in the 1995 movie “Batman Forever.”

Kilmer’s clashes continued during the infamously troubled production of The Island of Dr. Moreau, where he reportedly bullied cast and crew, later attributing his behavior to receiving divorce papers at the time. Director John Frankenheimer stated that he would never work with Kilmer again.

Over the years, Kilmer tried to explain his reputation, acknowledging that he did not always provide the necessary reassurance to financiers and that his risk-taking in acting was often misunderstood. Despite his reputation, he delivered standout performances in films such as Thunderheart, True Romance, and Heat, where he starred alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

In 1995, Kilmer was cast alongside Hollywood heavyweights Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the classic heist movie Heat

Kilmer also ventured into voice acting, earning a Grammy nomination in 2012 for his spoken-word work on Zorro. In later years, he appeared in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which earned him a Satellite Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

His cancer diagnosis in 2015 led to two tracheotomies that affected his ability to speak, yet he continued acting in 12 projects after his diagnosis. In 2022, he made a triumphant return to the screen as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, reuniting with Tom Cruise for an emotional scene.

Tributes poured in following Kilmer’s passing. Director Michael Mann praised his range and depth as an actor, while actor Josh Brolin remembered him as a fearless creative force. Tom Cruise, reflecting on their Top Gun reunion, described Kilmer as a brilliant actor who effortlessly stepped back into character.

Kilmer is survived by his daughter, Mercedes, and his son, Jack.