‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman Forever’ star Val Kilmer passes away aged 65

Val Kilmer, the versatile Hollywood actor who achieved leading-man stardom as Batman and Jim Morrison, passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 65.

Mercedes Kilmer, the daughter of the actor, stated that he passed away due to pneumonia. He had been ill since his diagnosis of throat cancer in 2014. In spite of his condition, Val Kilmer remained active in his career and, quite notably, made a grand comeback to the film industry in the 2021 film Top Gun: Maverick. He is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack.

Val was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Chatsworth, where he attended Hollywood Professional School before becoming the youngest student admitted to Juilliard’s drama division. His early passion for acting led to theater roles, setting the stage for his Hollywood career in the 1980s.

Val began in Hollywood in 1984 with the spoof film Top Secret!. He soon became a familiar face, playing iconic roles in Top Gun (1986), Real Genius (1985), Willow (1988), Heat (1995) and The Saint (1997). One of his most iconic roles was that of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's The Doors (1991), where he fully immersed himself in the character of the rock star, even going so far as to copy his style for an entire year.

In 1995, Val Kilmer replaced Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever. His performance was met with mixed criticism, and he was subsequently replaced by George Clooney in Batman & Robin (1997). Despite this, Val Kilmer remained a revered figure in Hollywood.

After a throat cancer diagnosis in 2014, Val Kilmer reportedly lost part of his vocal capability; however, because of advancements in technology, he was able to continue performing. In the 2021 documentary Val, which covered the life of the actor, his son Jack gave his voice.

Val Kilmer's commitment to his work and his ability to persevere despite illness further cemented him as a true Hollywood icon. Val's body of work will always be an inspiration to future generations, cementing his place among the Hollywood legends.