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Val Kilmer—best known for his roles successful Top Gun and Batman Forever—died of pneumonia April 1, according to his family. He was 65.
Celebrity Deaths: 2025’s Fallen Stars
Hollywood has mislaid a beloved actor.
Val Kilmer, who starred arsenic Tom "Iceman" Kazansky successful 1986's Top Gun and the titular superhero successful 1995's Batman Forever—died of pneumonia April 1, his girl Mercedes Kilmer told the New York Times. He was 65.
He was diagnosed with pharynx crab successful 2014, but aboriginal recovered, she confirmed to the outlet.
Kilmer had mostly kept details of his crab battle to himself. It wasn't until 2020 erstwhile opened up astir his wellness struggles, revealing helium underwent a process connected his trachea that near him with a raspy voice.
"I consciousness a batch amended than I sound, but I consciousness wonderful," helium told ABC News astatine the time. "I was diagnosed with pharynx cancer, which healed precise quickly."
Kilmer continued, "This is simply a tracheotomy to assistance maine breathe, due to the fact that the glands successful my pharynx swelled up arsenic well."
In his 2020 memoir I'm Your Huckleberry, Kilmer credited ex-girlfriend Cher for playing a ample portion successful his treatment, recalling that helium was staying astatine her guesthouse erstwhile helium began “vomiting humor that covered the furniture similar a country retired of The Godfather."
He said the "Believe" vocalist accompanied him to the infirmary for his tracheotomy, arsenic good to aggregate chemotherapy sessions passim his journey. As helium enactment it, "We laughed retired large earlier they finished my vitals and unopen maine up with an oxygen mask."
Throughout his decades-long career, Kilmer appeared successful galore iconic films, including 1988's Willow, 1991's The Doors, 1993's True Romance, 1995's Heat and 2005's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
His documentary Val premiered successful 2021, with his past acting recognition being 2023's Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to his enactment flick with Tom Cruise.
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"Tom commands a batch of respect and it was a joyousness to beryllium successful specified a comfy setting," Kilmer told Collider successful 2022 of their affectional onscreen reunion. "We are paid to enactment and that’s what we did successful the scene, but doing truthful with a people enactment similar Tom made it a pleasure, and little similar work!"
Outside of acting, Kilmer had a passionateness for ocular arts, moving with some photography and paint.
"I emotion however instantly the restitution comes by coating successful each its forms," helium shared to the outlet. "I’ve ever felt that way—probably wherefore I was drawn to making movies—but moving with truthful galore talented artists and pushing the boundaries of creativity is precise fulfilling and healing."
But whether helium was successful beforehand of the camera oregon down a canvas, Kilmer's eventual extremity arsenic an creator was to "inspire accrued absorption and concentration."
"To entertain for 2 hours carries a large woody of satisfaction, and is itself inspiring," helium said of acting. "To beryllium capable to springiness this acquisition is specified a joy."
Kilmer is survived by friends and family, including his 2 kids with ex-wife Joanne Whalley: Mercedes and Jack Kilmer.
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