Val Kilmer dead at 65: Batman and Top Gun star dies of pneumonia after long health battle
HOLLYWOOD legend Val Kilmer has died at the age of 65 after a lengthy health battle.
The Batman and Top Gun star passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday after suffering from pneumonia, his daughter announced.
Kilmer became a household name when he played fighter pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise.
After finding success on the beloved classic, Kilmer went on to play his biggest role as Batman in Batman Forever.
In the 1995 superhero flick he took on Jim Carrey as The Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones as Two Face.
He also had huge roles as musician Jim Morrison The Doors, True Romance, Heat and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
The American’s incredible spell of Hollywood blockbusters in the 80s and 90s made him one of the highest paid stars of that generation.
The star’s daughter Mercedes, 33, told the New York Times her father died surrounded by his family and friends.
She also said Kilmer had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but later managed to recover.
He underwent major surgery including a tracheotomy which significantly impacted his ability to speak.
Kilmer’s final career role saw him return to the Top Gun franchise where he first found global success.
Thirty six years after playing the “Iceman”, he made a brief cameo in the film‘s 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick.
Aside from Mercedes, 33, he is also survived by son Jack Kilmer, 29.
Kilmer was married to his children’s mum Joanne from 1988 until 1996.
Across his glittering career he also had relationships with Hollywood stars including Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie, Carly Simon and Cher.
Tributes have already started to pour in for Kilmer.
Fellow actor Josh Gad said Kilmer was “an icon”.
On Instagram he said: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood.
“You truly were an icon.”
The official Top Gun X account also posted: “Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman.”
Goonies and Avengers star Josh Brolin also posted a touching tribute to his close friend alongside a snap of the pair smiling.
It read: “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker.
“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.”
KILMER’S HEALTH BATTLES
In a candid Amazon Prime documentary entitled Val, an open and honest Kilmer spoke about living with throat cancer and the issues that came even after his recovery.
These included having to use an electric device called a voice box on the artificial hole in his throat to talk.
He said at the time: “I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can’t speak without plugging this hole [in his throat].”
The actor, who also had to have meals through a feeding tube, explained some of the other challenges he faced.
“You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me,” he added.
Kilmer has previously detailed how he was unaware he had throat cancer until one day he coughed up “coagulated blood”.
This led him to quickly call for an ambulance before he passed out.