‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman’ star Val Kilmer, dead at 65
Val Kilmer, the iconic actor known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and Tombstone, passed away on April 1, 2025. Although his official cause of death is being recorded as pneumonia, the beloved actor has been fighting throat cancer ever since being diagnosed back in 2014, undergoing chemotherapy and a tracheotomy that affected his voice.
Throat cancer can cover an umbrella of different diseases and affect the vocal cords, sometimes permanently changing a person’s voice as in Kilmer’s case. The actor permanently lost his voice after undergoing a tracheotomy to treat the cancer but continued to act and write.
In “Top Gun: Maverick,” when Kilmer opted to reprise his beloved “Ice Man” character, director Joseph Kosinski told USA TODAY that, despite rumors of AI, the voice in the film was nearly 100% Kilmer. ~ USA Today
Despite his severe medical issues, Kilmer continued to act, with his final major appearance being in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick.
The Extensive and Complete Val Kilmer Filmography
Kilmer, who at 17 was the youngest actor ever accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School at the time he attended, experienced the ups and downs of fame more dramatically than most.
“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career. “And I am blessed.” ~The Associated Press
Born on December 31,1959 in Los Angeles, Kilmer attended the Juilliard School for Actors and began his career in theater before transitioning to film. He dated Cher, who he credits for helping him come to grips with his initial cancer diagnosis. His diverse filmography includes The Doors, Willow, Heat, The Saint, and his unforgettable performance portraying Doc Holiday in Tombstone, the film in which the actor gave us those memorable lines:
- “I’m your huckleberry,”
- “There’s no normal life, Wyatt, it’s just life,” and
- “Why, Johnny Ringo, you look like somebody just walked over your grave.”
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Fans and celebrities, including Josh Brolin and Ron Howard, have paid tribute, celebrating his talent and legacy. Kilmer’s impact on Hollywood remains profound, with his performances leaving an indelible mark on cinema. He is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack.
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For more on the life and times of the iconic actor who brought us Doc Holiday, Batman, and Jim Morrison, see the video below.
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(Additional sources: USA Today, Hollywood Life)
(Cover photo: Image credit: Facebook)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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