KUALA LUMPUR – Val Kilmer, the American actor known for his roles in “Top Gun,” “Batman Forever,” and “The Doors,” has died at the age of 65, the New York Times reported.
His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, told the publication that pneumonia was the cause of death. Kilmer had previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but later recovered.
Born in California, Kilmer was the youngest person ever accepted into Juilliard’s drama programme. He began his career on stage before making his film debut in the 1984 spy spoof “Top Secret!”. A year later, he starred in the comedy “Real Genius” before achieving fame in 1986 as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in “Top Gun,” opposite Tom Cruise.
Kilmer’s career flourished in the 1990s with diverse roles, including portraying rock icon Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” (1991) and the gunslinger Doc Holliday in “Tombstone” (1993). He took on the role of Bruce Wayne in 1995’s “Batman Forever,” following Michael Keaton’s tenure as the Caped Crusader. However, the film received mixed reviews, and Kilmer did not return for its sequel.
Despite being recognised for his talent, Kilmer developed a reputation for being difficult to work with. Director Joel Schumacher, who helmed “Batman Forever,” once described him as “the most psychologically troubled human being I’ve ever worked with.” Kilmer himself defended his approach, telling the Orange County Register in 2003, “I believe I’m challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.”
After years of appearing in lower-profile films, Kilmer attempted a career resurgence in the 2010s with a one-man stage show about Mark Twain, which he had hoped to adapt into a film. However, his battle with cancer halted those plans.
His struggle was chronicled in the 2021 documentary “Val,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
Kilmer made a poignant return to the big screen in 2022, reprising his role as Iceman in “Top Gun: Maverick.” – April 2, 2025