Known for his roles in Top Gun, Tombstone, Batman Forever, and more, Val Kilmer has passed away at the age of 65.
Kilmer was a widely respected actor who was beloved by many for his starring and supporting roles, such as his role in Top Gun as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman Forever, Chris Sherlis in Heat, and Madmartigan in Willow.
Kilmer started off at the Hollywood Professional School before heading to New York, where, at 21, he became the youngest student at the time to be accepted into Julliard School’s drama department” (CNN Entertainment).
Kilmer got his bigger roles in the 80s with a comedy called ‘Top Secret’ and continued after that with big movie roles, which cemented Kilmer in Film history.
The cause of death is stated to be pneumonia, as Kilmer has had a history of medical illness. “Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 and underwent a tracheotomy, which made talking difficult for the actor”(ABC). Kilmer wrote in his 2020 memoir that he had help from Legendary singer Cher, his girlfriend in the early 80s. “Kilmer revealed that ex-flame Cher helped him through a cancer diagnosis and detailed the harrowing effects it had on the body” (USA Today).
Kilmer was set to make an appearance at the opening night of the Beverly Hills Film Festival hours before his death. “The story and news of his death were reported literally at the same time” (E! News).
Kilmer is survived by Jack and Mercedes, his two children from a previous marriage to Joanne Whalley.
