Val Kilmer’s death on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65, shocked the world, leaving fans and loved ones mourning his loss. Val, best remembered for his roles in Top Gun, The Doors, and Heat, had faced a battle with health issues over the past decade. His family, including his daughter Mercedes, revealed to The New York Times that he passed away due to complications from pneumonia, following a long and difficult journey with throat cancer.
In the weeks before his death, Kilmer’s health had drastically declined. Despite being cancer-free, the side effects of his treatment left him frail, and he was bedridden in his final days. Kilmer spent his final moments surrounded by his family.
Val Kilmer’s health deteriorated quickly in the last week of his life
Val Kilmer’s battle with throat cancer began in 2014, a diagnosis that changed his life. For years, he fought and struggled with the disease while maintaining a strong public image, but it was difficult behind the scenes. In an interview with The New York Times, Kilmer revealed that when doctors first told him of the diagnosis, he was in denial. “They said I was denying that I had cancer, and when they asked me, I didn’t have cancer,” Kilmer explained.
Despite his initial denial, Kilmer pursued treatment, including a tracheotomy, which affected his voice and breathing. His family, particularly his daughter Mercedes and son Jack, were by his side throughout this ordeal. In a statement to TMZ, they disclosed that his health had deteriorated rapidly in the final week. However, his loved ones had the opportunity to comfort him in his last moments. The actor’s final moments were spent with those closest to him.
Val Kilmer didn’t allow his health battles to stop him
Before his health declined further, Val Kilmer returned to the public eye, surprising fans with an appearance in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). In his 2020 documentary, Val, he opened up about the challenges of living with a tracheotomy, admitting that he sounds worse than he feels, but he can’t speak without plugging the bike into his throat. Kilmer added that he had to make a choice whether to eat or breathe.
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His last social media post featured him wearing a Batman mask, which was for one of his most famous roles.