Actor Val Kilmer Dies at 65 - Known for Roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, The Doors

Actor Val Kilmer Dies at 65 - Known for Roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, The Doors

Actor Val Kilmer, known for his roles in film and television, passed away on April 1, 2025 at the age of 65. 

His daughter Mercedes told The New York Times the cause was pneumonia. 

Kilmer’s career spanned over four decades, during which he became recognized for his work in both drama and action films.

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Born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, Kilmer began his acting career after studying at the Juilliard School. He made his film debut in 1984 and gained early attention with roles in Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985).

His breakthrough came with his role in Top Gun (1986), followed by prominent performances in The Doors (1991), Tombstone (1993), and Batman Forever (1995).

Kilmer earned critical recognition for his portrayal of Jim Morrison in The Doors and was widely praised for his role as Doc Holliday in Tombstone. He received several award nominations throughout his career, including Golden Globe nominations.

In later years, Kilmer faced health challenges, including a battle with throat cancer, which affected his voice. Despite these difficulties, he remained involved in his work and public life.

 

This obituary was written by GoLocal in conjunction with Chat GPT. 

PHOTO: Kilmer at Cannes in 2005. CC 3.0/Georges Baird