Hollywood is mourning the loss of Val Kilmer, a beloved actor who was known for his unforgettable roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors. Kilmer passed away on April 1 at the age of 65; he had complications from pneumonia.
His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed the news to The New York Times and shared that although he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, he had since recovered. Following his passing, stars like Josh Brolin, Josh Gad, and Billy Zane honored his memory and celebrated the impact he had on Hollywood and the people who knew him.
Val Kilmer’s last public outing was five years ago
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Kilmer’s final public appearance was in 2019 when he attended the Thespians Go Hollywood Gala at Avalon Hollywood with his daughter, Mercedes. The event, which was held on November 18, was a rare opportunity for fans to see the actor, who had retired from the spotlight because of his health challenges.
On the red carpet, Kilmer stood proudly beside his daughter, who had followed in his footsteps as an actress. They had both worked together on the 2020 film Paydirt, marking a special father-daughter moment in his career. While Kilmer’s health had limited his public outings, he returned to the screen in 2022 for the movie Top Gun: Maverick, where he reprised his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky alongside Tom Cruise.
Val Kilmer appeared in an Instagram post before his death
Just weeks before his passing, Kilmer made an unexpected appearance in an Instagram video posted by artist and musician David Choe on February 23. In the video, Kilmer channeled his Batman Forever role by sitting on the ground and putting on a black and white Batman mask.
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His eyes were full of excitement as he mentioned having an idea he wanted to pursue. Choe, who was painting a matching piece of artwork, assured him that he looked great. This short moment was the last time fans saw Kilmer.