Val Kilmer, the charismatic actor known for his roles as Batman in Batman Forever, Jim Morrison in The Doors, and Doc Holliday in Tombstone, passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to The New York Times that the cause was pneumonia. Kilmer had been battling throat cancer for several years.
A Hollywood Leading Man
With his striking looks and intense screen presence, Kilmer rose to fame in the 1980s and ’90s, headlining a string of hit films including Top Gun, Real Genius, Willow, Heat, and The Saint. Despite his reputation for being difficult to work with, he remained one of Hollywood’s most compelling actors.
In 2022, Kilmer made an emotional return to the big screen in Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his role as Iceman alongside Tom Cruise. By that time, cancer had robbed him of his voice, but through technology, he was able to speak again on screen.
His life and career were chronicled in the 2021 documentary Val, which offered an intimate look at his journey, using decades of personal footage recorded by the actor himself. His son, Jack Kilmer, provided narration.
A Career of Iconic Roles
Kilmer stepped into the role of the Caped Crusader for Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever in 1995, following Michael Keaton’s departure from the franchise. While his performance received mixed reviews, he was later replaced by George Clooney for Batman & Robin, a film that nearly derailed the Batman series.
The prime costume is now worn by Val Kilmer, who makes a good Batman but not a better one than Michael Keaton.
Reflecting on Kilmer’s performance, The New York Times wrote,
One of his most memorable performances came in Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991), where he fully embodied the role of Jim Morrison. Kilmer’s dedication to the part was legendary, he memorized every lyric before his audition and lived in Morrison’s signature style for nearly a year.
The performance is the best thing in the movie — and since nearly every scene centers on Morrison, that is not small praise.
Roger Ebert praised his performance, writing,
Kilmer also made a lasting impression as the witty and fearless Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993), delivering the now-iconic line, “I’m your huckleberry.”
A Troubled Reputation
While Kilmer’s talent was undeniable, his on-set behavior often made headlines. His time on the infamous The Island of Dr. Moreau was fraught with tension, as he reportedly clashed with both Marlon Brando and director John Frankenheimer.
There are two things I will never ever do in my whole life. The first is that I will never climb Mt. Everest. The second is that I will never work with Val Kilmer ever again.
Frankenheimer famously said,
Despite the controversies, Kilmer continued to work steadily in the industry, taking on supporting roles in films like True Romance, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Déjà Vu, and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.
Personal Life and Later Years
Born in Los Angeles, Kilmer grew up in Chatsworth and attended the prestigious Juilliard School. His early career saw him co-starring with Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon in the off-Broadway play The Slab Boys before making his TV debut in an afterschool special alongside Michelle Pfeiffer.
His personal life was just as fascinating he met actress Joanne Whalley on the set of Willow, and the two were married from 1988 to 1996.
Kilmer was a lifelong Christian Scientist and famously declined to confirm his cancer diagnosis when it was revealed by Michael Douglas in 2016. He was deeply influenced by Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy and even wrote a screenplay featuring her alongside Mark Twain. His one-man show Citizen Twain toured the country for years, blending humor and history.
In 2012, Kilmer earned a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word for his Zorro audiobook. His memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, named after his famous Tombstone line, was published in 2020.
For years, he lived on a ranch in New Mexico, where he painted and mentored young actors through theater programs focused on Shakespeare and Mark Twain.
Kilmer is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack.
