Val Kilmer, the celebrated American actor best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and as Jim Morrison in The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65, the New York Times reported Tuesday.
His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that pneumonia was the cause of death. Kilmer had previously battled throat cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2014, but had recovered from it, according to his daughter.
Kilmer’s career began on stage before he transitioned to film, where he quickly gained attention for his charismatic performances. His breakout role came in 1984, when he played a rock star in the Cold War spoof Top Secret! Two years later, he became widely recognized for his portrayal of the cocky fighter pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun, a role that saw him rival Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick.
Over the course of his career, Kilmer demonstrated his versatility, balancing high-profile blockbusters with smaller, independent films. He portrayed iconic rock star Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors, capturing the essence of the 1960s frontman.
Kilmer also appeared alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat and took on the role of Batman in Batman Forever, appearing between Michael Keaton and George Clooney’s portrayals of the Gotham vigilante.
In the 1990s, an Entertainment Weekly cover story dubbed Kilmer “The Man Hollywood Loves to Hate,” describing him as a sometimes difficult and eccentric figure. However, a 2002 New York Times interview painted a different picture, describing Kilmer as friendly, open, and quick to laugh at himself.
Kilmer is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer.
