{"id":3208,"date":"2025-04-02T05:05:57","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T05:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/?p=3208"},"modified":"2025-04-02T18:37:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T18:37:32","slug":"batman-and-top-gun-star-val-kilmer-dies-aged-65-with-cause-of-death-confirmed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/02\/batman-and-top-gun-star-val-kilmer-dies-aged-65-with-cause-of-death-confirmed\/","title":{"rendered":"Batman and Top Gun star Val Kilmer dies aged 65 with cause of death confirmed"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hollywood legend Val Kilmer has died from pneumonia (Picture: EuropaNewswire\/Gado\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Val Kilmer, star of films including Top Gun<\/a> and Batman, has died at the age of 65.<\/p>\n

The legendary US actor <\/a>rose to fame after starring as Iceman <\/a>in the 1986 Tom Cruise <\/a>action film and later played Batman in 1995\u2019s Batman Forever.<\/p>\n

His daughter Mercedes said Kilmer had died from pneumonia in a statement to the New York<\/a> Times.<\/p>\n

Hollywood stars have paid tribute to Kilmer, including The Goonies and No Country for Old Men actor Josh Brolin.<\/p>\n

In an Instagram post, the 57-year-old actor said he would miss his ‘pal.’<\/p>\n

‘You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,’ Brolin wrote.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Editorial\t<\/div>
Kilmer portrayed Batman in the 1995 film Batman Forever alongside Nicole Kidman (Picture: Ralph Nelson\/Warner Bros\/Kobal\/S)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.’<\/p>\n<p>Kilmer’s ex partner Cher – who he dated for two years in the 1980s – also paid tribute on X, writing: ‘VALUS Will miss u. U were funny, crazy, pain in the ass, GREAT FRIEND, kids love U, BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness.’ <\/p>\n<p>Frozen star Josh Gad shared on Instagram: ‘RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.’<\/p>\n<p>Hollywood director Ron Howard reflected on Val Kilmer\u2019s ‘amazing’ filmography and ‘awesome range’ as he paid tribute to the actor. <\/p>\n<p>‘I was incredibly fortunate to collaborate with Val a number of times over the years,’ Howard posted to X.<\/p>\n<p>‘As the off beat swordsman (Madmartigan) in #Willow, his stunning #JimMorrison in Oliver Stone\u2019s #TheDoors (and) in a chilling cameo in #TheMissing.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"447\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_245996991-3b63-e1743586228648.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22833359\" alt=\"Val Kilmer in his Top Gun role, wearing the green flying suit and leaning on his knee.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Kilmer rose to fame playing Iceman in Top Gun (Picture: Paramount\/Kobal\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>‘I list these titles because even my own personal creative experiences reflect his awesome range as an actor. Check out his filmography. Amazing.<\/p>\n<p>‘His art extended to his poetry, artworks, filmmaking and simply the way he lived. Bon Voyage, Val and thank you.’ <\/p>\n<p>Film director Michael Mann wrote in as post on Instagram: ‘While working with Val on Heat I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val\u2019s possessing and expressing character.<\/p>\n<p>‘After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.’ <\/p>\n<p>Kilmer’s breakout role was in Top Gun, which grossed over $344,000,000 (\u00a3263 million) and made him a Hollywood star.<\/p>\n<p>He had previously declined roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Outsiders and <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/02\/08\/legendary-filmmaker-david-lynchs-cause-death-aged-78-revealed-22521313\/\">David Lynch’s<\/a> Blue Velvet.<\/p>\n<p>After Top Gun, he was cast in TV films, including The Murders in the Rue Morgue, before portraying Madmartigan in the cult fantasy movie Willow, which also starred Warwick Davis.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"964\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246000267-d8d4-e1743573627849.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22833569\" alt=\"Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lucasfilm\/Kobal\/REX\/Shutterstock (5881876i) Val Kilmer Willow - 1988 Director: Ron Howard Lucasfilm Film Portrait\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>The actor is also known for his role in the cult classic film Willow (Picture: Lucasfilm\/Kobal\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the 90s, Kilmer starred as US frontman Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s film The Doors. The year before filming, Kilmer dressed in Morrison-like clothes and spent time at his hangouts on the Sunset Strip in LA.<\/p>\n<p>He also starred in mystery thriller Thunderheart, action comedy The Real McCoy and teamed up with Top Gun director Tony Scott to play Elvis Presley in True Romance.<\/p>\n<p>In 1995, Kilmer performed opposite Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat, which is considered one of the greatest crime films of all time.<\/p>\n<p>That same year, the Hollywood legend appeared in Batman Forever alongside Nicole Kidman, replacing Michael Keaton. However, he decided against returning for a second film, with the role going to George Clooney.<\/p>\n<p>His other credits in the 90s include The Ghost and the Darkness alongside Marlon Brando, popular action film The Saint and what he described as his most complex role as blind man Virgil in At First Sight.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tVal Kilmer's 7 best film roles\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<p><strong>Top Gun (1986)<\/strong> – Iceman<\/p>\n<p><strong>Willow<\/strong> <strong>(1988)<\/strong> – Madmartigan<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Doors (1991) <\/strong>– Jim Morrison<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tombstone<\/strong> <strong>(1993)<\/strong> – Doc Holliday<\/p>\n<p><strong> Heat<\/strong> <strong>(1995)<\/strong> – Chris Shiherlis<\/p>\n<p><strong>Batman Forever<\/strong> <strong>(1995) <\/strong>– Bruce Wayne\/Batman<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kiss Kiss Bang Bang<\/strong> <strong>(2005)<\/strong> – “Gay” Perry van Shrike<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"430\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246000261-b8e7.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22833573\" alt=\"Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Moviestore\/REX\/Shutterstock (1582909a) Heat, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer Film and Television\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Kilmer starred opposite De Niro in classic crime film Heat (Picture: Moviestore\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"437\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_245996957-35fa.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22833370\" alt=\"Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phillip Caruso\/Mgm\/Kobal\/Shutterstock (5876136a) Irwin Winkler, Val Kilmer At First Sight - 1998 Director: Irwin Winkler MGM USA Scene Still Premier regard\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Kilmer described his role in At First Sight as his most challenging (Picture: Phillip Caruso\/Mgm\/Kobal\/Shutter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Kilmer’s first role in 2000 was the big budget science fiction action film Red Planet, which was a flop.<\/p>\n<p>He went on to star in movies including thriller Mindhunters and action-comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang with Robert Downey Jr.<\/p>\n<p>More recently, in August 2020, Kilmer shared the screen with his daughter, Mercedes, for the first time in Paydirt.<\/p>\n<p>His final acting role was a cameo in the 2022 blockbuster sequel <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/05\/20\/top-gun-maverick-tom-cruise-on-powerful-reunion-with-val-kilmer-16678654\/\">Top Gun: Maverick.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>‘I just want to say that was pretty emotional,’ Cruise told<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/02\/27\/tom-cruise-cried-over-val-kilmers-emotional-top-gun-maverick-return-18358332\/\"> Jimmy Kimmel in 2023<\/a> about the cameo.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"657\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_245997096-e1743586755585.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22833540\" alt=\"No Merchandising. Editorial Use Only. No Book Cover Usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by StudioCanal\/Shutterstock (10077941a) Val Kilmer The Doors - 1990 Director: Oliver Stone Carolco USA Scene Still Late Night Les Doors\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>The year before the production of The Doors, Kilmer dressed like Jim Morrison and visited his regular haunts (Picture: StudioCanal\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"449\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246000264-ceda.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22833571\" alt=\"Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Everett\/REX\/Shutterstock (427214cc) TRUE ROMANCE, Christian Slater, Val Kilmer FILMS AND TV INVOLVING QUENTIN TARANTINO\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>In True Romance, Kilmer played Elvis Presley (Picture: Everett\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>‘I\u2019ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character\u2026 he\u2019s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.’<\/p>\n<p>Kilmer had been <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/04\/02\/inside-val-kilmers-cancer-journey-controversial-spiritual-healing-beliefs-22834081\/\">diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014<\/a>, discussing his diagnosis and recovery in his 2020 memoir, I\u2019m Your Huckleberry and Amazon Prime Documentary Val.<\/p>\n<p>He underwent both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as a tracheostomy, which damaged his vocal cords.<\/p>\n<p>‘I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel,’ Kilmer said in the documentary.<\/p>\n<p>‘I can\u2019t speak without plugging this hole (in his throat). You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat.<\/p>\n<p>‘It\u2019s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.’<\/p>\n<p>Kilmer married Joan Whalley in 1988, who he met while working on the film Willow.<\/p>\n<p>The couple had two children – Jack and Mercedes – before divorcing in 1996.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page – we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hollywood legend Val Kilmer has died from pneumonia (Picture: EuropaNewswire\/Gado\/Getty Images) Val Kilmer, star of films including Top Gun and Batman, has died at the age of 65. The legendary<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/02\/batman-and-top-gun-star-val-kilmer-dies-aged-65-with-cause-of-death-confirmed\/\" class=\"readmore\">Continue reading<svg class=\"icon icon-arrow-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\"> <use href=\"#icon-arrow-right\" xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-right\"><\/use> <\/svg><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Batman and Top Gun star Val Kilmer dies aged 65 with cause of death confirmed<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3208"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3208"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3208\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3216,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3208\/revisions\/3216"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}