Val Kilmer, Star of ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman Forever,’ Dead at 65 

Val Kilmer, the iconic Hollywood star best known for his roles in Top Gun and Batman Forever, has passed away at the age of 65 in Los Angeles, according to the New York Times.

Kilmer succumbed to pneumonia, a complication following his long battle with throat cancer. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed the news, noting that her father had undergone two tracheotomies during his cancer treatment in 2015, but had later recovered and lived for several years afterward.

Kilmer, a Los Angeles native, first made his mark in film with the 1984 comedy Top Secret!, directed by the creators of Airplane!, where he played rock star Nick Rivers.

However, it was his portrayal of the competitive pilot Lt. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in Top Gun (1986) that catapulted him to superstardom, opposite Tom Cruise's Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Ironically, Kilmer initially had little interest in the film. In his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, he admitted that he had to be persuaded into taking the role by his agent, who also represented Cruise.

Kilmer’s versatility as an actor was further displayed in his powerful performance as rock legend Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991), a role for which he performed his own singing. He also starred in a series of 1990s hits, including True Romance, Heat, and famously replaced Michael Keaton as Batman in Batman Forever (1995).

Despite a battle with cancer that affected his ability to speak due to extensive treatment, Kilmer remained active, appearing in 12 projects after his diagnosis. Tom Cruise, reflecting on their long friendship, praised Kilmer’s return to Top Gun: Maverick, noting, “He’s such a brilliant actor, and I love his work.”

Kilmer was declared cancer-free in 2021, but his passing leaves a profound legacy. He is survived by his children, daughter Mercedes and son Jack.