Top Gun star Val Kilmer has died at the age of 65, his daughter has said.
In a statement to The New York Times, Mercedes Kilmer said the actor had died from pneumonia. He rose to fame starring alongside Tom Cruise in the 1986 hit Top Gun .
Kilmer was later cast as Batman in the 1995 film Batman Forever and received critical acclaim for his portrayal of musician Jim Morrison in the 1991 film The Doors . Kilmer's final acting role was a cameo on the 2022 blockbuster sequel Top Gun: Maverick .
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Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and shared details about his diagnosis and recuperation process in his memoir published in 2020. I'm Your Huckleberry .
On Instagram, actor Josh Gad honored the action star with these words: "RIP Val Kilmer. Thanks for embodying the heroes from so many films I grew up watching. You were definitely an iconic figure."
Actor Josh Brolin mentioned he would miss his friend, stating on Instagram: "He was intelligent, demanding, courageous, hyper-creative, and like a sparkler—fascinating and fun."
"Not much remains of them. I look forward to seeing you in the heavens once I finally join them. Until then, let’s hold onto wonderful memories and beautiful thoughts," Brolin said.
In 1988, Kilmer wed Joanne Whalley, whom he encountered during his work on a movie. Willow The pair had two offspring, daughter Mercedes and son Jack, prior to their divorce in 1996.
All you need to learn about Val Kilmer's offspring can be found here.
Kilmer is an actress and also works as a producer.
Mercedes came into the world in October 1991 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the child of Kilmer and Whalley.
Similar to her father, Mercedes is also an actress. Before she made her feature film debut opposite Kilmer in the 2020 production, she had appeared in multiple short films. Paydirt , where she starred as her father's on-screen daughter.
In 2017, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress discussed her upbringing alongside renowned parents and dealing with their star power. She mentioned that she has never known life without this fame, emphasizing that it was more about understanding others’ perceptions of them rather than confronting any challenges themselves.
Mercedes is also listed as an associate producer on the 2021 documentary about her father titled Val.
She was hospitalised at the same time as her dad
In 2014, shortly after her father was diagnosed with cancer, Mercedes was involved in a serious car accident and was admitted to the same hospital as her father. The accident left a scar down her leg.
She's also a singer
In addition to acting and producing, Mercedes showcases her singing talent by regularly posting performance videos on her Instagram account.
Jack Kilmer is additionally known as both an actor and a producer.
Jack was born to Kilmer and Whalley in June 1995. The couple filed for divorce just weeks after welcoming their second child, citing irreconcilable differences.
Similar to his sister, Jack has also experimented with acting. At the age of 28, he made his first appearance on screen in Gia Coppola's 2013 movie. Palo Alto , alongside his father, Emma Roberts and James Franco.
"He's got great taste and his own unique sensibility," Coppola said of Kilmer in a 2014 interview. "It makes you want to watch him."
Jack also lent his voice to the character of Madmartigan in the TV version of Willow , and narrated Val Kilmer's words in the 2021 documentary Val after radiation and chemotherapy left his father's voice impaired. "It was shocking to hear how much he sounded like the young version of me," said Kilmer. "There were several times when I couldn't tell who was talking."
Kilmer was near to his offspring.
Kilmer maintained a strong bond with each of his children. During a 2012 interview with Vanity Fair, he mentioned Top Gun The star mentioned that he had turned down "10 truly excellent filmmakers" at various points to prioritize his family life. He explained, "I simply chose not to engage with work matters. It's impossible for me to be an attentive parent when I'm only around for three or four months each year," as reported by the magazine.
Kilmer vanished from Hollywood for about ten years to prioritize his family life. He returned to acting when he believed his children were more independent. Kilmer stated, "My children have grown up now, and I had been deeply involved in ensuring their welfare every day. Plus, I sold my ranch which helped simplify things. It’s also worth noting that I've gone without a date for seven years." This interview took place in 2012 with The Hollywood Reporter.
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