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The New York Times was the first to report that veteran actor Val Kilmer, known for his roles in "Batman Forever" and "Top Gun," passed away on April 1st at the age of 65 due to pneumonia. His eldest daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the news to the outlet.
Kilmer had been battling throat cancer in recent years, which had significantly slowed his acting career, though Mercedes stated he had recovered from the cancer prior to his passing. While he never officially retired, his output had drastically decreased. His final big-screen appearance was a cameo as his iconic character Iceman alongside Tom Cruise in "Top Gun: Maverick."
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Kilmer's career peaked from the late 1980s through the 1990s. After gaining widespread recognition in "Top Gun," he quickly landed leading roles in acclaimed films such as Ron Howard's fantasy epic "Willow" and Oliver Stone's biographical drama "The Doors." He further solidified his status as a box office draw with hits like "Heat," "The Saint," and "The Prince of Egypt."
Despite captivating audiences, Kilmer was also known in Hollywood for his eccentric personality and volatile temper, which often caused friction with colleagues and studio executives. His career began to decline in the 2000s, and his battle with throat cancer further hampered his opportunities to pursue new projects.
via： The New York Times