Renowned Hollywood actor Val Kilmer has passed away at the age of 65 after a prolonged battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, in an interview with the New York Times. She stated that her father succumbed to pneumonia. In 2014, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent several medical procedures affecting his vocal cords, which impaired his ability to speak. He also endured chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Kilmer was one of the most recognizable and well-compensated actors of the 1990s. In 2022, he reprised his role as Iceman in ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ Kilmer is survived by his children, Mercedes and Jack, from his marriage to actress Joanne Whalley.
Born on December 31, 1959, Kilmer initially gained fame through theater before transitioning into film. His breakthrough came with comedic roles in ‘Real Genius’ (1985), ‘Top Gun’ (1986), and ‘Willow’ (1988). He earned acclaim for portraying Jim Morrison in ‘The Doors’ (1991) directed by Oliver Stone. His career continued with critically acclaimed performances in films like ‘Tombstone’ (1993), ‘The Saint’ (1997), and ‘Batman Forever’ (1995).
Despite his extensive body of work, critic Roger Ebert once remarked, “If there’s an award for the most invisible leading man of his generation, Val Kilmer should win it.” Kilmer published his memoir, ‘I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir,’ in 2020. His health journey was documented in the 2021 documentary ‘Val,’ which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.