Val Kilmer Dies Aged 65

A Legendary Actor’s Journey

American actor Val Kilmer, known for his iconic roles in “Top Gun” and “Batman Forever”, has passed away at the age of 65. The cause of death was pneumonia, according to his daughter Mercedes Kilmer, who told the New York Times that her father had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and had later recovered.

A Timeline of His Career

Kilmer’s journey in Hollywood began with the Cold War spoof “Top Secret!” in 1984. Two years later, he gained fame as the cocky, if mostly silent, aviator Iceman in “Top Gun”, playing a rival to Tom Cruise’s Maverick.

A Versatile Actor

A versatile actor whose career spanned decades, Kilmer got a shot at leading man roles in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” and took a turn as the masked Gotham vigilante in “Batman Forever”, playing Bruce Wayne after Michael Keaton and before George Clooney.

A Life of Ups and Downs

Kilmer was the youngest person ever accepted to New York’s fabled Juilliard school and longed to make serious films. However, he found himself in a series of schlocky blockbusters and expensive flops in the early 2000s. Chastened by a decade or more of low-budget movies, he was mounting a comeback in the 2010s with a successful stage show about Mark Twain that he hoped to turn into a film, when he was struck by cancer.

Recent Comeback and Legacy

“Val”, a documentary about his stratospheric rise and later fall in Hollywood, premiered at the Cannes film festival in 2021. Kilmer recently returned to cinemas in 2021 with a cameo reprising his role as Iceman in “Top Gun: Maverick”, the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 hit.

Conclusion

Val Kilmer’s passing leaves behind a legacy of iconic performances and a life of ups and downs in Hollywood. His contributions to the world of cinema will be remembered for years to come.

FAQs

* What was the cause of Val Kilmer’s death?
The cause of death was pneumonia, according to his daughter Mercedes Kilmer.
* What was the diagnosis that Kilmer was given in 2014?
Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014.
* What was the name of the documentary about Kilmer’s life and career?
The documentary is titled “Val”.
* What was Kilmer’s recent role in?
Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in “Top Gun: Maverick”, the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 hit.