“Iceman” has signed off for the final time and will be missed. Val Kilmer, the beloved star of “Top Gun” and “Batman,” died at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer and respiratory issues, leaving a legacy of iconic film performances that span decades. His death certificate revealed that underlying factors included throat cancer and acute and chronic respiratory failure. Despite his health issues, Kilmer made a memorable return as Iceman in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick.”
The Final Battle
Nine days after his death, the cause of Val Kilmer’s passing has been confirmed. According to his death certificate obtained from the Los Angeles County Department of Health, the 65-year-old actor died from pneumonia on April 1. The document revealed several contributing factors, including acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, chronic respiratory failure, and squamous cell carcinoma at the base of his tongue. Additional complications included malnutrition and a tracheocutaneous fistula, a condition related to his previous cancer treatments.
Kilmer’s eleven-year battle with throat cancer began in 2014, resulting in multiple tracheotomies that severely affected his speech. Though he was declared cancer-free in 2020, the disease ultimately returned. The actor’s body has been cremated following his passing, as his children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer, continue to mourn their father’s death while requesting privacy during this difficult time.
This was Val Kilmer’s final post before his death.
In his last social media video, posted less than two months before his death, the star tried on a custom Batman mask.
He passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday, aged 65, after a battle with pneumonia. pic.twitter.com/QO2WRIbyWe
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 3, 2025
A Career Defined by Iconic Roles
Before health challenges altered his trajectory, Kilmer established himself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. Rising to fame in the 1980s with breakout roles in “Top Secret!” and “Real Genius,” he achieved superstardom as Lieutenant Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in 1986’s “Top Gun” opposite Tom Cruise. His career continued to flourish with memorable portrayals of Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” and his turn as Batman in 1995’s “Batman Forever.”
“I can’t speak without plugging this hole [in his throat],” Kilmer said after his cancer treatment damaged his vocal cords, forcing him to use a voice box to communicate.
Despite these physical limitations, Kilmer demonstrated remarkable resilience by returning to the “Top Gun” franchise for the 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick.” The emotional reunion scene between Iceman and Maverick became one of the film’s most powerful moments, allowing Kilmer to connect with a new generation of viewers while giving longtime fans a poignant farewell to his beloved character.
Val Kilmer. Dead of alleged of pneumonia at only 65 years old. So sad. We know what he had in common with the others. 🙁 pic.twitter.com/kxFYBvR1mH
— Erin Elizabeth Health Nut News🥜 (@unhealthytruth) April 2, 2025
Family First
Throughout his career, Kilmer consistently prioritized his role as a father above his Hollywood ambitions. Following his divorce from actress Joanne Whalley in 1996, he made conscious decisions to remain present in the lives of their children, Mercedes and Jack. This commitment often meant turning down potentially career-advancing roles that would have taken him away from his family for extended periods.
This father-child bond extended into their professional lives as well. Mercedes appeared alongside her father in the 2020 film “Paydirt,” playing his on-screen daughter. She later served as an associate producer on the acclaimed 2021 documentary “Val,” which chronicled her father’s life and career using thousands of hours of footage Kilmer had personally recorded throughout his lifetime. Jack provided the voice-over narration for the documentary, speaking his father’s words when Kilmer could no longer do so himself due to his health limitations.
A Lasting Legacy
Kilmer’s final public appearance came in 2019 at the Thespians Go Hollywood Gala, where he was honored for his contributions to film and theater. Following the announcement of his death, his children released a joint statement expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support while requesting privacy. “We are so proud of him and honored to see his legacy celebrated. At this time, we would like to grieve privately,” Mercedes and Jack stated.
More than just a movie star, Kilmer’s career represented a commitment to artistic integrity and a willingness to transform himself completely for each role. From the cocky fighter pilot Iceman to the brooding Caped Crusader, from the mystical Native American guide in “Thunderheart” to his haunting portrayal of Moses in “The Prince of Egypt,” Kilmer’s range demonstrated a depth of talent that few actors of his generation could match.