Val Kilmer Forever
Hollywood actor Val Kilmer has died, aged 65.
His daughter Mercedes Kilmer announced her father had passed away on 1 April in Los Angeles from pneumonia. Val was previously diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, from which he recovered.
Born in Los Angeles in 1959 and educated at Julliard, Val Kilmer was a prominent leading man in Hollywood during the ‘90s with commanding roles in ‘Top Gun’, ‘Tombstone’ and ‘Batman Forever’. Though his later career was marred by box office flops and altercations with various directors and producers, Val Kilmer left an indelible mark on modern film.
Val made his debut in the 1984 spy spoof ‘Top Secret!’ followed by ‘Real Genius’ in 1985. His big break came in 1986, starring alongside Tom Cruise in ‘Top Gun’ as Iceman, which catapulted him to international success.
A notorious perfectionist, Val mercilessly dedicated himself to his roles. In Oliver Stone’s 1991 film ‘The Doors’, Val’s portrayal of Jim Morrison became almost indistinguishable from the real thing. In 1993, he played gunslinger Doc Holliday in ‘Tombstone’ before donning the cape and cowl in ‘Batman Forever’ in 1995.
Val experienced continued success throughout the ‘90s with acclaimed roles in films such as ‘True Romance’ (1993), ‘Heat’ (1995), ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ (1996), ‘The Saint’ (1997) and ‘The Prince of Egypt’ (1998). Later credits include roles in ‘Alexander’ (2004), ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (2005), ‘Déjà Vu’ (2006), and ‘The Snowman’ (2017). He made his final film appearance in 2022, reprising the role of Iceman for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.
Val was initially reluctant to pursue treatment when he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, owing to his lifelong beliefs as a Christian Scientist. Following chemotherapy and two tracheotomies, his vocal cords were damaged, and he struggled to speak beyond a rasp. Val worked with a London-based software company to recreate his voice using AI and archived recordings, preserved for years to come.
Like the characters he portrayed, Val Kilmer was a troubled and tragic yet profoundly talented individual. For any perceived flaws and foibles (director Joel Schumacher once called him “the most psychologically troubled human being I’ve ever worked with.”), Val compensated with incredible performances and unmatched commitment.
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