'Top Gun' and 'Batman Forever' Actor Val Kilmar Dies At 65: Hollywood Tributes Pour In

Val Kilmer, the famous Hollywood actor who acted in films including 'The Doors', 'Batman Forever', and 'Top Gun' died at the age of 65. Kilmer passed away in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family and friends. His death was due to pneumonia. According to the New York Times Report, her daughter confirmed the death news.

The Hollywood actor's daughter, Mercedes Kilmer said to New York Times, "The cause was pneumonia. Mr. Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered."

After being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, he underwent two tracheotomies and recovered. Val, a documentary on his life that premiered at Cannes Film Festival in July 2021, depicted him using a breathing tube.

"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. And I am blessed," he said at the end of his documentary, 'Val' in Cannes premiere in 2021.

Hollywood Pays Tribute To Val Kilmer:

Following Val Kilmer's death, several Hollywood figures and fans expressed their condolences, recognising the actor's enormous contributions to the film industry.

Michael Mann, director of the film 'Heat' while paying tribute to Val said: "While working with Val on Heat I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val's possessing and expressing character. After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news."

Hollywood Actor Josh Gad posted on Instagram, "RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon."

The American Actor James Woods took X (Twitter) and paid his tribute by saying, "His rendition of Doc Holliday in Tombstone was what every actor dreams of achieving. So many wonderful performances. Sad to lose him so soon."

Val Kilmer's Cinematic Journey:

Although tracheotomy surgery damaged his voice and restricted his acting career, he made a comeback to the big screen in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, co-starring with Tom Cruise as fighter pilot Iceman. Hollywood icon Tom Cruise said at the time: "I've known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character... he's such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again."

Val became well-known for appearing with Tom Cruise as the competitive naval pilot Tom Iceman Kazansky in the 1986 blockbuster film Top Gun.

The American actor's other well-known roles include playing Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever, Jim Morrison in The Doors. He appeared in a number of 1980s popular films. Throughout the years, he carved out an identity for himself in Hollywood with roles in films including The Saint, Tombstone, Heat, and Real Genius.

Kilmer also gained fame for his work in a fantasy 'Willow' and crime thriller 'Kill Me Again', both with British actress Joanne Whalley, whom he married in 1988.

He demonstrated his dynamic and adaptable talents when he impressively played rock singer 'Morrison' in 'The Doors', 20 years after Morrison's death.
'Tombstone', in which Kilmer played gunfighter 'Doc Holliday', and 'Heat', in which he co-starred with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, were also successes.

He took over Batman's cape from Michael Keaton in 1995's Batman Forever, which was a box office triumph but received mixed reviews, and Kilmer opted out of the following Batman film.

He played the master criminal and master of disguise in the 1997 film 'The Saint', which was based on Leslie Charteris' book that inspired the 1960s TV show featuring Roger Moore.

Kilmer released his documentary in 2021 that detailed the highs and lows of his life and profession. Val, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, showcases 40 years of home recordings, including him speaking with a voice box after cancer surgery.

How Much Val Kilmer Charged For Movie?

Val Kilmer became one of the highest-paid actors of the 1990s. According to the news reports, Kilmer was paid $7 million for his role as Batman in 'Batman Forever' (1995), which is comparable to almost $12 million today. He received $7 million for 'The Saint' and $6 million for 'The Island of Dr. Moreau,' putting his overall income for the year 1997 to $13 million. He received his biggest single payment in 'At First Sight,' earning a stunning $9 million at the time in 1999 as per reports.

According to Parade and Celebrity Net Worth, Val Kilmer's net worth was expected to reach $10 million in 2025.

Val Kilmer: Early Life

Val Edward Kilmer was born in Los Angeles on December 31, 1959. He was brought up in a middle-class family in Chatsworth. At the age of 17, he became the youngest student to attend New York's esteemed Juilliard School. After polishing his acting abilities there, he then co-starred with Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon in the off-Broadway production of 'The Slab Boys'. His career began with the comedy, 'Top Secret!'. He also appeared on television in the ABC Afterschool program 'One Too Many' with Michelle Pfeiffer during his early career. Kilmer's extraordinary career started in Hollywood, where he established himself as a gifted performer.