Val Kilmer, ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Tombstone’ actor, dead at 65 – Washington Examiner
Val Kilmer, the iconic actor known for his roles in films such as “Top Gun,” “Tombstone,” and “Batman Forever,” has passed away at the age of 65 due to pneumonia. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the news, highlighting the actor’s recent health struggles, including a battle with throat cancer since 2014, which led to meaningful medical challenges and the loss of his voice. Kilmer was celebrated for his dynamic performances in the 1980s and 1990s, capturing audiences with characters like the confident naval pilot “Iceman” and the legendary doc Holliday. In recent years, he published a memoir titled “I’m Your Huckleberry” and released a documentary detailing his life and career, which showcased both his artistic journey and his health battles. Despite his struggles, Kilmer expressed gratitude for his experiences, stating he has grown and discovered parts of himself he never knew existed.
Val Kilmer, ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Tombstone’ actor, dead at 65
Val Kilmer, an actor known for many roles in the 1980s and 1990s, has died. He was 65 years old.
He died from pneumonia in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday night, the Associated Press reported after receiving an email from the actor’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer.
He was previously diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, undergoing intense medical procedures as treatment, including chemotherapy, multiple tracheotomies, and needing a tube to eat food. In the years before his death, he reportedly lost his full ability to speak and used AI technology to recreate his voice.
Kilmer was known for his roles as the brash, cocky naval pilot “Iceman” in the 1986 film Top Gun, western gunslinger Doc Holliday in the 1993 film Tombstone, and the DC Comics superhero Batman and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne, in the 1995 action film Batman Forever.
In his later years, Kilmer published a novel about his life and career, I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir, named after his Tombstone character’s famous catchphrase. In 2021, he released a documentary film, Val, which detailed his career and the health challenges he faced later in life.
“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” Kilmer said in his documentary. “And I am blessed.”
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