Additional Coverage:
- Val Kilmer’s official cause of death revealed (foxnews.com)
Val Kilmer’s death certificate, released Thursday by the Los Angeles County Department of Health, confirms that the actor died from pneumonia. The certificate also lists secondary causes, including acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, chronic respiratory failure and squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue. Contributing factors included malnutrition and a tracheocutaneous fistula.
Kilmer’s family confirmed his passing in April, stating that the “Top Gun” star died at age 65 after a battle with pneumonia. “We are so proud of him and honored to see his legacy celebrated,” the family shared in a statement at the time.
Kilmer’s health struggles were well-documented, including a highly publicized battle with throat cancer in 2015. Despite these challenges, he reprised his iconic role as Lt.
Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” While his appearance brought joy to fans, it was also evident that the tracheostomy he required for breathing presented difficulties.
At CinemaCon, “Top Gun” co-star Tom Cruise paid tribute to Kilmer: “I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer… I can’t tell you how much I admired his work.
If we just all take a moment to remember the wonderful time we had with him — let’s just take a moment. I wish you well on your next journey.”
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kilmer honed his craft at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. His career spanned decades, from his 1984 film debut in the comedy “Top Secret!”
to memorable roles in iconic films. Kilmer’s portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 biopic “The Doors” propelled him to stardom.
He further solidified his acting prowess with roles as Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” Elvis Presley’s spirit in “True Romance,” and the caped crusader in “Batman Forever.” His impressive filmography also includes “Heat,” “The Saint,” “The Salton Sea,” “Alexander,” “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” and “Conspiracy.”
Read More About This Story:
- Val Kilmer’s official cause of death revealed (foxnews.com)