Val Kilmer, beloved actor who starred in 80s and 90s blockbusters like Batman Forever and Top Gun, has died at 65 years old. His daughter Mercedes told the New York Times he'd passed from pnuemonia.
Born New Years Eve 1959, Kilmer had been battling throat cancer for nearly a decade. Over the years, it affected him so much he underwent chemotherapy and two tracheotomies, which later left him unable to speak. Before his diagnosis, he was one of the heartthrobs of the aforementioned decades; along with the two films above, he's best known for Tombstone, Heat, and The Saint. He had a steady film presence throughout the 2010s and 2020s before his cancer and prior to his tracheotomies, including MacGruber, Planes, and Top Gun: Maverick. And in 2021, he was the subject of the documentary film Val, which chronicled his life up to that point.
Along with film, Val Kilmer had a steady career in TV, typically playing a guest star on a show like Psych or Entourage, or lending his voice to KITT in the Knight Rider reboot. More recently, he “reprised” his role as Madmartigan in Disney+'s Willow sequel series through archive footage of the 1988 film. That cameo was achieved with the help of his son Jack, who series creator Jake Kasdan said had an “uncanny resemblance” to his father's voice, which was used in conjunction with AI to recreate Kilmer's 1988 performance.
After news of Kilmer's passing, Hollywood actors began posting eulogies for the late star. Josh Brolin remembered him as “a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.” Similarly, Josh Gad thanked Kilmer “for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague, Val Kilmer,” added Industrial Light and Magic. “From his memorable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, Val cemented himself as one of the greats. He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Kilmer is survived by his two children and ex-wife Joanne Whalley, and our thoughts go out to them at this time.
Update: 1:14 AM ET: This story has been updated with eulogies about Kilmer posted on social media.
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