'Top Gun' star Val Kilmer dead at 65
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
- Val Kilmer, known for his roles in "Top Gun" and "The Doors," has died at age 65.
- His daughter confirmed to The New York Times that pneumonia was the cause of the actor's death.
- He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, and his voice was permanently damaged from a tracheostomy.
Val Kilmer, the actor known for his roles in "Top Gun" and "Batman Forever," has died at age 65.
His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to The New York Times that the cause of death was pneumonia.
Originally a stage actor, Kilmer made his film debut in 1984's "Top Secret." In 1986, he was cast alongside Tom Cruise in "Top Gun," a film about students at the United States Navy's elite Fighter Weapons School.
In the movie, which became a cult classic, Kilmer played Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, a rival to Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.
He starred as Jim Morrison in 1991's "The Doors," in which he was praised for his uncanny depiction of the troubled rock singer. Kilmer's singing voice was used in the film.
In 1995, Kilmer played the Dark Knight in "Batman Forever," taking over the role from Michael Keaton. The film was met with mixed reviews and he was replaced by George Clooney for 1997's "Batman & Robin."
Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but recovered. However, his voice was permanently damaged due to a tracheostomy.
To reprise his role as Iceman in 2022's "Top Gun: Maverick," the actor worked with a London tech company, Sonantic, to use AI to recreate his voice for the sequel.
Jerry Bruckheimer, a producer on the "Top Gun" sequel, said in 2022 that Cruise was the "driving force" behind getting Kilmer to return for the movie.
"He said, 'We have to have Val, we have to have him back. We have to have him in the film,'" Bruckheimer told People. "And he was the driving force. We all wanted him, but Tom was really adamant that if he's going to make another 'Top Gun,' Val had to be in it."
Kilmer has two children, son Jack Kilmer and daughter Mercedes Kilmer, with his ex-wife, Joanne Whalley, whom he divorced in 1996.
A representative for Kilmer and Kilmer's agent did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. BI was not immediately able to reach Mercedes Kilmer for comment.