Hollywood Legend Val Kilmer Has Passed Away at 65
Hollywood legend Val Kilmer, who was one of Tinseltown’s brightest (and most discussed) stars for decades, has passed away. He was just 65 years old.
Born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, Kilmer took up acting from an early age. Eventually, he would attend the Hollywood Professional School and Julliard, where he was the youngest student ever to be accepted into the drama division.
After numerous theatrical roles, Kilmer got his big break in films when he starred in Top Secret!, a spoof of spy movies.
Photo: Slashfilm
During this time, the actor reportedly declined roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders and David Lynch’s Blue Velvet.
‘Top Gun’ and Stardom
Despite passing on these opportunities, Kilmer was launched into superstardom with his performance as Iceman in Top Gun.
Photo: PEOPLE
Now a household name, Kilmer would become one of Hollywood’s most prolific leading men over the next decade. His subsequent performance as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors was lauded by critics and fans alike.
Photo: Dazed
In the early 1990s, he also starred in Thunderbolts, The Real McCoy, and True Romance.
‘Tombstone’ and ‘Batman’
In 1993, Kilmer delivered what may be his most beloved performance, playing Doc Holliday in Tombstone. After watching the western, Batman Forever director Joel Schumacher tapped Kilmer to replace Michael Keaton as Batman.
Photo: PEOPLE
1995’s Kilmer’s Batman Forever would receive mixed reviews from critics but was an undeniable box office success.
After turning down the opportunity to return as Batman, Kilmer would go on to star in The Island of Dr. Moreau opposite Marlon Brando, The Ghost of Darkness alongside Michael Douglas and The Saint. He would also voice Moses in the animated Prince of Egypt.
Photo: The Guardian
Work With Disney
Outside of Tombstone, which was produced by Hollywood Pictures, Kilmer would add several Disney credits to his name.
He portrayed Paul Przwarra in Touchstone Picture’s 2006 film Deja Vu and voiced Brave in Disney’s Planes.
Photo: Entertainment Weekly
Finally, in 2022, archival footage of his performance as Madmartigan was used in the Disney+ series Willow.
Health Struggles
In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy, the actor also had a procedure on his trachea that left him largely unable to speak.
Despite his tenuous health, Kilmer would reprise his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick.
Photo: Decider
Val Kilmer passed away on April 1, 2025, of pneumonia. He is survived by his daughter Mercedes and son Jack.
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