Additional Coverage:
Hollywood icon Val Kilmer passes away at 65.
Val Kilmer, celebrated for his memorable performances in films like “Top Gun,” “Batman Forever,” and “The Doors,” has died at the age of 65. His daughter confirmed to the New York Times that Kilmer passed away from pneumonia at his Los Angeles home on Tuesday, April 1st.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, Kilmer battled the disease for years, which significantly impacted his ability to speak and kept him largely out of the public eye. Despite these challenges, he remained a beloved figure in the industry.
In recent years, Kilmer shared his story with the world through his memoir, “I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir,” published in 2020, and the critically acclaimed 2021 documentary “Val,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The documentary chronicled both his health struggles and illustrious career.
One of the highest-paid actors of the 1990s, Kilmer starred in films that have collectively earned over $3.7 billion worldwide. In 1992, renowned film critic Roger Ebert praised Kilmer, suggesting he deserved recognition as one of the most underappreciated leading men of his generation.
Born in Los Angeles, California on December 31, 1959, Kilmer was the second of three sons. His parents, Gladys Swanette and Eugene Dorris Kilmer, divorced in 1968. Kilmer’s younger brother, Wesley, tragically drowned in 1977 at the age of 15.