Val Kilmer, the charismatic and often controversial star of Hollywood classics including Top Gun, The Doors and Batman Forever, has died at the age of 65. The actor passed away from pneumonia, a condition reportedly confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer.
Kilmer's death marks the end of a turbulent and illustrious career. Known for his brooding screen presence and off-screen intensity, he rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s as one of Hollywood's most compelling leading men.
Early Career and Rise to Stardom
Born in Los Angeles on 31 December 1959, Kilmer became the youngest student to be admitted to the drama division at the Juilliard School. He made his film debut in the 1984 comedy Top Secret! before starring in Real Genius (1985). His breakthrough came in 1986 with the role of Iceman in Top Gun, where he played opposite Tom Cruise. The film catapulted him to international stardom.
Over the following decade, Kilmer delivered a string of memorable performances, including his portrayal of Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991), a role for which he used his own singing voice and submitted an audition tape to director Oliver Stone. He later played Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993), Batman in Batman Forever (1995), and appeared alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Michael Mann's Heat the same year.
Despite his commercial success, Kilmer gained a reputation for being difficult to work with. Director Joel Schumacher described him as 'the most psychologically troubled human being I've ever worked with', while director John Frankenheimer reportedly vowed never to work with him again after their troubled collaboration on The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996).
Wealth and Career Decline
At the height of his fame in the 1990s, Kilmer commanded impressive salaries, reportedly earning as much as £10.3 million ($13 million) for films such as The Saint and The Island of Dr. Moreau. However, a series of box office disappointments and well-documented conflicts with directors impacted his earnings over time. At the time of his death, Kilmer's net worth was estimated at £7.9 million ($10 million), according to The Mirror.
Cancer Battle and Later Years
In 2014, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer. He underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and a tracheostomy, which permanently altered his voice. Despite his health struggles, he continued to work, appearing in The Snowman (2017), Paydirt (2020), and a heartfelt cameo in Top Gun: Maverick (2022).
Kilmer detailed his health journey in his 2020 memoir I'm Your Huckleberry, in which he credited singer Cher for her support during his illness. According to Fox News, he recalled staying at her guesthouse and being rushed to hospital after vomiting blood. The incident, he said, was a turning point.
'I have been healed of cancer for over four years now, and there has never been any reoccurrence,' Kilmer wrote, though his speech remained impaired.
Personal Life and Relationships
Kilmer was married to British actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 until 1996. They met on the set of the fantasy epic Willow and had two children: Mercedes and Jack. Jack followed in his father's footsteps, becoming an actor and directing a documentary titled Val.
Though romantically linked to high-profile celebrities including Cher, Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie and Daryl Hannah, Kilmer revealed in his memoir that he hadn't had a girlfriend in over 20 years. 'The truth is I am lonely part of every day,' he admitted. His break-up with Hannah, he said, was 'by far the most painful of all'.
According to Yahoo News, Kilmer remained close to his children. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed his passing to the New York Times.
Physical Assault Allegation
Kilmer's legacy was also marred by controversy. In 2017, actress Caitlin O'Heaney accused him of physically assaulting her during an audition for The Doors. As reported by People, O'Heaney alleged that Kilmer became physically aggressive while reading a volatile scene and struck her in the face. She later settled for £19,500 ($24,500), though she claimed to have received only a third of that after taxes. The film's casting director disputed her account, suggesting the encounter was within the context of the scene.
Val Kilmer remains one of the most enigmatic figures in modern cinema—a gifted performer whose career spanned highs of critical acclaim and lows of public scrutiny. Despite health battles, personal heartbreaks and controversy, his influence on film and his iconic performances have left an indelible mark on Hollywood history.
