How did Val Kilmer die? Batman star passes away at 65

Actor Val Kilmer has passsed away. Kilmer, who was 65, died on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Los Angeles, due to complications from pneumonia, as confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes, in a statement to The New York Times.

While details are still coming in at the time of publishing, the news has certainly come as a shock to fans, with many taking to social media to pay their respects to the beloved actor.

More about the life and career of Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, one of three children born to parents Gladys Ekstadt and Eugene Dorris Kilmer. His parents divorced in 1968 when he was just nine.

His younger brother, Wesley, tragically drowned in a jacuzzi in 1977 after suffering an epileptic seizure. According to WSAZ, he told The Times:

″I miss him and miss his things. I have his art up. I like to think about what he would have created. I’m still inspired by him.″

Kilmer went on to study at the prestigious Juilliard School, where he enrolled in the acting program. Some of his notable acting performances include, Ghost and the Darkness, Top Gun, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Wonderland, Deja Vu, Pollock, Thunderheart, Alexander, and The Doors. The Batman Forever star was one of the most prolific actors of the 1990s, with a string of successful movies to his name.

Kilmer, who also had a reputation of being difficult to work with, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, a revelation made by Michael Douglas. According to The Sun, as quoted by a 2016 Page Six report, Douglas said:

"Val was a wonderful guy who is dealing with exactly what I had, and things don’t look too good for him. My prayers are with him. That’s why you haven’t heard too much from Val lately.”

Kilmer had said in a statement on Facebook, dated January 31, 2015:

"Thank you for all your sweet support. But I have not had a tumor, or a tumor operations, or any operation. I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the ucla ICU. Friends have assisted who know my spiritual convictions and have been most sensitive and kind for the extra effort in making sure there's minimum gossip and silly talk. I am praying for a speedy return to the boards as they say. God bless you all and please don't worry. Love and deep affection , Val”

According to Good Housekeeping, it wasn't till 2017 that Kilmer publicly contended his ailment. His cancer diagnosis led prolonged absence from Hollywood and eventually to the loss of his voice. His final on screen performance was in Top Gun: Maverick, where he reprised his role as Admiral Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise.

In the documentary Val, which deals with his personal and professional life, the actor does some interesting self-assessment. According to an AP review of the film from 2021, Kilmer says in Val:

“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed.” He adds: “And I am blessed."

In 2012, Kilmer was nominated alongside the cast for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Spoken Word Album, for The Mark of Zorro. The actor who was a great admirer of writer Mark Twain, published his autobiography, titled I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir, styling it after Twain's famous character, Huckleberry Finn.

Val is an Amazon stuios prodiction documentary released in 2021. The documentary would go on to win the Critics Choice Award for Best Historical or Biographical Documentary.

"Now that it's more difficult to speak, I want to tell my story more than ever," Kilmer is heard saying in the award winning documentary.

Val Kilmer was married to Joanne Whalley, whom he met while filming Willow. The couple married in 1988 and were divorced in 1996. He is survived by two children, daughter Mercedes and son Jack.