Val Kilmer, the actor known for his roles as Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever,” Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors,” and the tubercular Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes, informed The New York Times that the cause of death was pneumonia, following a prolonged battle with throat cancer.
Kilmer’s representatives did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Kilmer enjoyed a successful career as a leading man, gaining a reputation for his volatility. He starred in several iconic films, including “Top Gun,” “Real Genius,” “Willow,” “Heat,” and “The Saint.” He made a brief return to the screen in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” although he was unable to speak due to his cancer.
In 2021, a documentary titled “Val” was released, offering an intimate look at Kilmer’s life. The film featured voice narration provided by his son and was composed of hundreds of hours of personal video footage, showcasing Kilmer as an introspective thinker with an artistic soul.
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Kilmer had previously taken over the role of Batman from Michael Keaton in Joel Schumacher’s 1995 film.
Kilmer’s passing is a significant loss to the film industry, marking the end of a storied career that left an indelible mark on Hollywood.
