Priyanka Tiwari
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Val Kilmer, the charismatic and intense actor known for iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65. He died in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed in an email to the Associated Press.
The actor’s cause of death was pneumonia. Kilmer had previously overcome throat cancer, diagnosed in 2014, which required two tracheotomies and drastically altered his voice and career path.
From Maverick Roles to Method Intensity
Kilmer first rose to fame in the 1984 comedy Top Secret! and the 1985 hit Real Genius. His big breakthrough came with Top Gun (1986), where he portrayed Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, the cocky rival to Tom Cruise’s Maverick. Though initially uninterested in the role, Kilmer agreed after improvements were promised in the script. He reprised the role in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick.
His filmography showcased his versatility: he embodied Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991), Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993), and starred in Heat (1995), The Saint (1997), and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005). In Batman Forever (1995), he wore the cape and cowl as Bruce Wayne, earning a $7 million payday.
Kilmer was known for Method acting and total commitment to his roles. To play Holliday, he filled his bed with ice to mimic tuberculosis; as Morrison, he lived the rocker’s life offscreen during filming. His dedication often came at a cost — giving him a reputation for being difficult on set.
Legacy, Wealth, and Personal Life
By the late '90s, Kilmer was among Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, with earnings peaking at $9 million for At First Sight (1999). Despite this, financial difficulties and a costly divorce affected him later in life. Reports estimate his 2025 net worth at $10 million.
He also invested in real estate, including a 6,000-acre ranch in New Mexico. He sold most of it in 2011 for $18.5 million but retained 160 acres until his passing.
Kilmer authored a New York Times bestselling memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, and released poetry collections, including My Edens After Burns. He was a Grammy-nominated spoken word artist, visual artist, and devout Christian Scientist.
He dated Cher, married and divorced actor Joanne Whalley, and is survived by their children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer.
Final Reflections
In his 2021 documentary Val, Kilmer reflected on his life, saying:
“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some… and I have no regrets.”
In an interview with the AP, he added, “I’ve witnessed and experienced miracles.”
His legacy lives on in his performances, his writing, and the personal stories of those who admired his craft and complexity.
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