Val Kilmer's Christian Scientist faith explored as Top Gun star dies at 65

Actor Val Kilmer passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles, according to a statement released by his family. Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer but recovered in 2017 after undergoing chemotherapy and a tracheotomy surgery. However, the surgery unfortunately impacted his ability to speak with ease.

The news of Kilmer's sudden passing has led to an outpouring of tributes, with fans taking to X (formerly Twitter) to mourn the beloved star.

"What a career. ❤️" wrote one fan.

Another user wrote:

"He should have won an Oscar for his role in Tombstone, he was PERFECT! R.I.P"

This fan tweeted:

"Rest in Power to one of the greats"

"Top Gun legend to us all in the military. He and Tom Cruise inspired an entire generation to be the best. This is a sad day. Nickel on the grass." said another.

Val Kilmer, who was a devout Christian Scientist, followed the footsteps of his parents in embracing his faith.

More about Val Kilmer's faith explored

Val Kilmer, who was diagnosed with throat cancer, went against this faith to undergo treatments. The "Top Gun" actor initially wanted to seek help from a healer who would guide him through prayer. According to Christian Science, practitioners of the faith reportedly do not rely on conventional medical treatments and procedures. However, the Church does not object to individuals seeking necessary medical care if they choose to do so, as per BBC.

In a 2020 interview with The New York Times, the "Tombstone" actor revealed that he did not want his children to be afraid of him. It was his love for them that ultimately prompted him to seek medical help.

"I just didn’t want to experience their fear, which was profound. I would’ve had to go away, and I just didn’t want to be without them."

In his autobiography, titled "I'm Your Huckleberry," he writes about how his parents and the founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, influenced his lifelong faith.

"I inherited their faith through hard-fought experimentation and proof."

In his autobiography, Kilmer further writes that he believes that prayer can truly achieve healing "faster than any of the doctors predicted.”

In his interview with The New York Times, he added that despite everything, he believes in the power of praying, as he felt chemotherapy and other medical procedures took away his voice. He said:

"That’s from radiation and chemotherapy. It’s not from cancer. That 'treatment' caused my suffering."

Moreover, according to The New York Times, the beliefs of Christian Science state that death is not the end; rather it is merely a transition where a person's presence is no longer perceived by others, according to

"Someone comes up to you and says you have only four months to live, and the concept of time is a human one. So, if you describe the divine concept of time, there is no time," Kilmer added.

In an interview, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, notes how she encouraged her father to seek treatment while respecting his bodily autonomy. Mercedes and her brother, Jack, do not share the same faith as their father.

She said:

"We both have always respected his beliefs, something that’s deeply important to me is bodily autonomy. I’ve always wanted him to get better and I’ve always, really cared what’s going on with his health, but I deeply respect the way that he’s dealt with it and I respect his right to heal however he feels is best.”

The actor had once, in a Reddit AMA Q&A session, talked about his faith. According to the Christian Post, the "Batman Forever" actor said:

"I am very grateful for all the prayers and good thoughts from around the world. People that know I am a Christian Scientist make the assumption that I have somehow endangered myself. But many, many people have been healed by prayer throughout recorded history. And many, many people have died by whatever was modern medicine,"

Val Kilmer passed away on 1 April from complications of pneumonia. He is survived by his two children, Mercedes Kilmer and Jack Kilmer.