Val Kilmer, Known For ‘Batman Forever’ And ‘Top Gun’, Dies Aged 65
Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, most famously known for his roles in movies like ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman Forever’, has died aged 65.
Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, most famously known for his roles in hit projects like ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman Forever’, has died. He was 65 when he breathed his last. As per the New York Times, his daughter confirmed that the cause of death was pneumonia. For the unversed, he was battling throat cancer for several years. The actor gained prominence after playing the naval aviator Tom Iceman Kazansky in the 1986 smash-hit ‘Top Gun’. His scenes with Tom Cruise earned him immense appreciation.
Val Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. ‘Val’, a documentary about his life, had premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021, and the project showed him needing a breathing tube.
The actor had married actress Joanne Whalley, whom he met on the set of Ron Howard’s children’s fantasy film ‘Willow’ (1988). However, the duo parted ways years later.
Val Kilmer lived on a ranch near Santa Fe for several years. The actor has two kids with Joanne -- Mercedes and Jack.
The veteran star is also known for playing the uber-popular character of Bruce Wayne in ‘Batman Forever’.
Val Kilmer starred in several other films such as ‘Tombstone’ (1993), ‘True Romance’ (1993) and ‘Heat’ (1995). In 2022, Val Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, marking his final film performance.
After being diagnosed with throat cancer, the actor underwent a tracheal procedure, and this ended up damaging his vocal cords, leaving him with severe difficulty speaking.
He also underwent chemotherapy and two tracheotomies. In 2020, he also published his memoir, ‘I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir’. As per several reports, Kilmer's films have grossed over USD 3.7 billion worldwide.
Back in the 90s, popular film critic Roger Ebert had said, “If there is an award for the most unsung leading man of his generation, Kilmer should get it.”
