Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, famed for his roles in Batman Forever and Top Gun, has tragically passed away at the age of 65. His family confirmed his death on Tuesday, revealing that he had been battling pneumonia.
Previously, Val was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. After his diagnosis, he underwent various treatments including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as a tracheostomy to aid his breathing. In 2021, the star of The Doors shared his emotional journey with cancer in a documentary, having since become cancer-free. Despite being given the all-clear, the treatment left Val with a permanently damaged voice. He revealed the difficult choice he faced between eating and breathing.
“You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat,” he shared in his Amazon Prime documentary, Val. He expressed that his struggle with speech made him more eager to share his story, reports the Mirror.
“I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can’t speak without plugging this hole,” he continued, gesturing towards his throat. Alongside the impact on his voice, Val disclosed that he was receiving his meals through a tube.
“You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me,” he added.
In the lead-up to his documentary’s release, Jack and Mercedes Kilmer shared insights into their father’s resilience. They told Extra that despite the challenges, he is faring well: “He’s doing well. Still recovering. The recovery process is just as gruelling as the actual disease. He’s just a monster of life and he loves life so much. He has to document everything because he can’t be stopped.”
Val Kilmer’s return to the big screen saw him reunite with Tom Cruise in the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. Cruise himself was moved to tears during their on-screen reunion.
Due to past health issues, Kilmer employed AI dubbing technology, based on old recordings, for his dialogue. His comeback thrilled fans and contributed to the film’s success as the highest-grossing movie of the year.
The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Val Kilmer, with an outpouring of tributes from adoring fans and celebrities alike. Matthew Modine reminisced over social platform X (previously known as Twitter): “RIP Val Kilmer. If it wasn’t for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in FULL METAL JACKET. Thanks, Val.”
Josh Gad expressed his sorrow, stating: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”