PremiumBatman Forever star Val Kilmer dies at 65
Val Kilmer, who also appeared in Tom Cruise's Top Gun: Maverick, once battled cancer
Last Updated: 10.52 AM, Apr 02, 2025
Veteran Hollywood star Val Kilmer, best known for playing Batman in Batman Forever, is no more. The 65-year-old actor died of complications from pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed. The actor was in his Los Angeles home when it happened on Tuesday.
How did Val Kilmer die?
Val Kilmer died owing to complications from pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes confirmed to The New York Times. It is to be noted that Val was diagnosed with throat cancer and was treated for the same in 2014. He had recovered and was working till pneumonia worsened his health condition.
About Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer made his debut with Top Secret! in 1984. However, his most memorable role came as playing Batman in Batman Forever, directed by Joel Schumacher. The role came in the midst of Michael Keaton and George Clooney portraying the iconic character from DC Comics. Val Kilmer's Batman battled Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and the Riddler (Jim Carrey) in the movie. The franchise came years after Tim Burton’s trilogy and went unnoticed, but the actor did bag another popular franchise (or at least appeared in the original film).
Kilmer appeared in Top Gun in 1986, and rivalled the star of the franchise, Tom Cruise. While the franchise kept growing, Val Kilmer did not return to it. The actor finally reprised his role in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick.
Also read: Glen Powell was motivated to do Top Gun: Maverick and Devotion by Tom Cruise - Did you know?
RIP Val Kilmer. You will be missed!