Val Kilmer, the celebrated actor known for his roles in “Top Gun,” “The Doors,” and “Batman Forever,” has passed away at the age of 65 due to pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed.
Kilmer made his film debut in the 1984 comedy “Top Secret!” before achieving stardom with his portrayal of Iceman in “Top Gun” (1986). He further cemented his place in Hollywood with his role as Jim Morrison in “The Doors” (1991), followed by “Tombstone” (1993), “Heat” (1995), and “Batman Forever” (1995). However, Kilmer’s reputation was often marked by his intense and sometimes difficult personality, which led to conflicts on film sets.
Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, which led to surgeries that permanently affected his voice. Despite this, he returned to acting, including a heartfelt return to “Top Gun” in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick.”