Batman and Top Gun actor Val Kilmer dies aged 65
Top Gun star Val Kilmer has died aged 65, his family have confirmed.
The Batman actor's daughter, Mercedes, told the New York Times he died yesterday (1 April) due to pneumonia.
Kilmer rose to fame when he starred alongside Tom Cruise in the iconic 1986 film Top Gun, in the role of 'Iceman'.
He went on to star in the likes of The Doors, True Romance and Heat, as well as of course portraying Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever.
The actor's final film role was a cameo in the 2022 blockbuster sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, although he could no longer speak due to his throat cancer following a 2014 diagnosis.
“I just want to say that was pretty emotional,” Cruise told Jimmy Kimmel in 2023 about the special appearance. “I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.”
Kilmer discussed his diagnosis and recovery in his 2020 memoir I'm Your Huckleberry and Amazon Prime Documentary Val.
He underwent both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as a tracheostomy, which damaged his vocal cords and impacted his voice.
Narrated by his son Jack, the documentary delved into his darkest places and experiences, as well as using hundreds of hours of video Kilmer had recorded over the years to give an insight into the sets he worked on.
“I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel,” the Iceman star said in the doc.
“I can’t speak without plugging this hole (in his throat). You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat.
“It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.”
Kilmer met his future wife, British star Joanne Whalley, on the set of Ron Howard's 1988 adventure fantasy Willow and appeared with her again in 1989's Kill Me Again.
The couple had two children, Mercedes and Jack, before divorcing in 1996.
Josh Gad paid tribute to the action movie legend as he wrote on Instagram: "RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Actor Josh Brolin, son of James Brolin, added that he was going to miss his 'pal'.
“You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,” he wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
Topics: Val Kilmer, Top Gun, Celebrity
Jess Battison