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Val Kilmer, the celebrated actor known for iconic roles in Top Gun and Batman Forever, has passed away at 65 due to complications from his battle with throat cancer. Kilmer had been bedridden in his final years as a result of cancer treatments, which had left lasting physical effects on his body, and his health had deteriorated significantly in the final week before his passing.
Although Kilmer had gone into remission after being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, the long-term effects of the treatments, including damage to his ability to speak, had left him vulnerable. In his documentary Val, Kilmer shared the challenges of living with a feeding tube, describing how he had to choose between breathing and eating.
Kilmer’s death followed a long struggle with pneumonia, and close family and friends gathered by his side in his last days. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the news of his passing to The New York Times. Despite being out of the public eye for years, Kilmer had recently posted a video on social media in which he wore a Batman mask, though the video was taken some time ago, misleading viewers about his condition.
Kilmer’s passing has left a deep mark on Hollywood, and tributes have poured in from colleagues and friends, including Michael Mann, Josh Brolin, Francis Ford Coppola, Josh Gad, and Cher. His children are overseeing the funeral arrangements, ensuring that his legacy as an actor and artist is honored for years to come.