Los Angeles: Val Kilmer, the Hollywood icon famed for his memorable roles as Bruce Wayne in ‘Batman Forever’, Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s ‘The Doors’, and the ailing Doc Holliday in ‘Tombstone’, has sadly passed away in Los Angeles.
According to reports from ‘Variety’, his daughter Mercedes revealed that he succumbed to pneumonia. He was 65 years old and had been fighting throat cancer for several years. Representatives for Kilmer did not provide immediate comments.
‘Variety’ noted that Kilmer, who was known for his youthful appearance and captivating performances, enjoyed a significant career as a leading actor in the 1980s and 1990s, featuring in classics like ‘Top Gun’, ‘Real Genius’, ‘Willow’, ‘Heat’, and ‘The Saint’.
Kilmer made a brief return to the big screen in 2022 with ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, despite being unable to speak due to his ongoing battle with cancer.
The details surrounding his passing were shared by Mercedes in an interview with ‘The New York Times’.
In 2021, a documentary titled ‘Val’ was released, providing insight into his life. It included voiceover work from his son and showcased hours of personal footage recorded by Kilmer, painting a portrait of an introspective artist.
He took on the role of Batman in Joel Schumacher’s 1995 film ‘Batman Forever’, following Michael Keaton. Kilmer’s performance received mixed reviews, and he was replaced by George Clooney in the infamous ‘Batman & Robin’ in 1997, which faced critical failure. The New York Times remarked on Kilmer’s portrayal, saying he was a good Batman, although they felt Michael Keaton was the superior choice.
Val Kilmer first gained prominence into the limelight with his role in the 1984 spy comedy ‘Top Secret!’, where he played a rock star and performed his own songs. After starring alongside Tom Cruise in the blockbuster ‘Top Gun’ and playing a clever college student in ‘Real Genius’, he quickly became a household name.
