Hollywood is mourning the loss of Val Kilmer, the legendary actor best known for his role as Iceman in Top Gun. Val passed away on April 1 at the age of 65 in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer.
In a statement to The New York Times, Mercedes revealed that her father died after a bout of pneumonia. Val had been open about his health struggles over the years, having been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. Though in 2017, he said he had experienced “a healing of cancer,” his health challenges continued. After undergoing a tracheostomy, he used a voice device to speak, which was documented in the 2021 film VAL.
Val’s career was nothing short of iconic. Rising to fame in the 1980s, he starred in a range of unforgettable films, including Top Gun, Willow, Tombstone, Batman Forever, Heat, The Prince of Egypt, and Mindhunters. He also made his mark on television, with roles in Entourage, Numb3rs, Knight Rider, and Psych.
Fans and fellow actors have taken to social media to express their grief and celebrate his incredible body of work. Val Kilmer leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of actors and movie lovers alike. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
