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Sometimes a torch is tough to pass up, especially when your name is so tied to it. But David Zucker made the attempt to lend a hand at sprucing up the script for the upcoming sequel The Naked Gun. After he was turned away, he was offered nothing more than a producer credit. This was all more than a decade ago — and Zucker is still miffed that there’s even another Naked Gun hitting the streets.

David Zucker — who co-wrote the original Naked Gun trilogy and directed the first two (not to mention co-creating the original Police Squad! series) recalled that those moving forward without him may have wanted nothing to do with him at his age. “I read the script, and I politely told them I wasn’t going to put my name on it. They wanted nothing from me except my name. They assume I’m old and...

Andor, the Star Wars show that doesn’t feature an adorable, breakfast cereal-friendly alien toddler, returns for its second season this week. But the acclaimed series wouldn’t exist without the 2016 prequel Rogue One, which first introduced audiences to Rebel hero Cassian Andor.

Oddly enough, a key character in that movie was only made possible thanks to a 41-year-old comedy that featured both an underwater bar fight and Academy Award winner Omar Sharif picking up a pile of dog shit: Top Secret!.

Set shortly before the events of the first Star Wars movie, Rogue One opted to bring back the villainous Imperial leader Grand Moff Tarkin, played by Peter Cushing. Instead of simply hiring another actor to play the role, Lucasfilm opted to use state-of-the-art computer technology to recreate the late Cushing’s face on top of another performer’s body, arguably giving Tarkin more of a “taxidermied video game Npc” vibe,...

Chicago – Val Kilmer passed away on April 1st, 2025, after a long illness. He was once praised by Roger Ebert, “if there is an award for most unsung leading man of his generation, Val Kilmer should get it.” Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com took an Exclusive Portrait of Val Kilmer in 2012.

Val Edward Kilmer was born in Los Angeles. He subsequently became the youngest person in his era to be accepted into the Julliard School’s Drama Division. His first major film role was in the cult classic “Top Secret!” (1984), which paved the way to his next phase of breakout starring roles.

Val Kilmer in Chicago, circa 2012

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

He followed his debut with the beloved comedy “Real Genius,” then his notable turn in “Top Gun” (and later an unforgettable appearance in “Top Gun Maverick” in 2022 for his last role). These films...

When days ago Liam Neeson took off his pants and revealed a set of ladies' underwear in the trailer for The Naked Gun, fans got a glimpse at what could be coming in the remake of the beloved comedy classic. They are excited, but others remain skeptical about bringing back the iconic franchise. Among those, there's David Zucker, the director of the first two Naked Gun movies and part of the creative trio of writers behind parody classics like Top Secret! and Airplane! Zucker has previously stated his opinion about the upcoming reboot, but now he's sharing his scorn for Neeson's casting and the studio's decision to not consult any of them for the remake.

In a conversation with Fox News, Zucker opened up about the Naked Gun remake, which is set to premiere in theaters on August 1, 2025. The Naked Gun is based on the 1982 television series Police Squad! starring Leslie Nielsen,...

Give the late Val Kilmer credit for good taste and common sense. While Kilmer was an extremely good sport while making the MacGruber movie, explained director Jorma Taccone on a recent episode of The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers podcast, there was one extreme gag that he refused to do. “We did want to cut his penis off and shove it in his mouth,” Taccone confessed. “That was the one joke that he did not want to do.”

That was “especially a good decision on his part,” noted Meyers.

The Late Night host couldn’t believe Kilmer would do the role at all. “I think not only would 85 percent of actors not want to play a character named Peter von Cunth,” Meyers said, “I think probably 99 percent of agents don’t want to call their clients and say, ‘Hey, there’s a part I think you’re perfect for.”

Taccone was shocked as well.

Beloved actor Val Kilmer passed away on Apr. 1, just over three months after turning 65 years old. Now, his official cause of death has been revealed.

Per TMZ, Kilmer's cause of death was divulged on his death certificate, which the Los Angeles County Department of Health has released. Kilmer's immediate cause of death is listed as pneumonia, with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, chronic respiratory failure, and squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue named as underlying causes. Malnutrition and a tracheocutaneous fistula were listed as other factors contributing to his death. The official cause of death aligns with what Kilmer's daughter told The New York Times following his passing, having shared that her father had been battling pneumonia.

Kilmer had previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015. The actor's subsequent health struggles had been chronicled in the documentary Val, released in 2021, and in his memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir,...

This week, we are pleased to introduce Rushes Extra, a new series of reported pieces that go beyond the headlines to take a closer look at developing stories from throughout the film world. In this first installment, Vikram Murthi reports from the picket lines of the New York cinema workers strike at Alamo Drafthouse.Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. To keep up with our latest features, sign up for the Weekly Edit newsletter and follow us @mubinotebook on Twitter and Instagram.NEWSFerris Bueller’s Day Off.Chinese authorities are reportedly considering “reducing or banning the import of US films” in response to President Trump’s global tariffs. Though US studio earnings in China have decreased as the country has invested in their own film industry, losing access to the world’s second-largest film market would be a major blow to the American film industry.The...

Saturday Night Live paid tribute to Val Kilmer following the Batman Forever star's death last week. The NBC sketch show briefly honored Kilmer during an episode hosted by Jack Black on Saturday (April 5).

A memorial graphic aired before Saturday's final segment, featuring a stylized promo image of Kilmer from his SNL hosting debut on December 9, 2000. One of the most notable moments from that season 26 instalment was an It's a Wonderful Life-themed monologue where Kilmer learned about the disastrous consequences if he'd have turned down hosting the show.

Saturday Night Live Honors the Late Val Kilmer

Kilmer also reprized his role as Jim Morrison from 1991's The Doors for a Behind the Music parody where Morrison formed a psychedelic band in heaven, called The Great Frog Society, with fellow deceased musicians Janis Joplin (Molly Shannon), Jimi Hendrix (Jerry Minor), Keith Moon (Horatio Sanz), Buddy Holly (Jimmy Fallon) and Louis Armstrong...

On April 1st, 2025 the world lost Val Kilmer to pneumonia after a decade-long fight with health problems including a throat cancer diagnosis. Val Kilmer, born on New Year's Eve 1959, has been on the acting scene since the fatefully threshold that is the age of 65. His illustrious career, which spanned for nearly four decades, this one lasted until his imminent unofficial retirement in 2022 after which he gradually withdrew from public life due to his declining health. A legend of many faces, a performer whose presence was felt across screens, immortalized in roles that transcended time and place. On Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, told The New York Times that his deeply beloved father had passed away that same day at the venerable age of 65 after a tragically failed one final stand against fate’s unrelenting grip battle with pneumonia. His journey stands as a stoic testament to the resilience...

The passing of Val Kilmer is a great loss for the world of cinema. While cancer took away his voice many years ago, it’s hard to look at the 90s without seeing his massive impact. Just look at all the tributes that his colleagues have made for him. He was clearly a very special person. It’s always tough when any iconic actor passes away, as their long and storied careers are a presence in our lives, giving us a seemingly deep connection. We get to know them through their craft and attach to their roles. And there are few actors I’ve attached to more than Mr. Val Kilmer.

From the smarts and coolness of Chris Knight, to the quick-witted Gay Perry, all the way to what may be one of the greatest characters in all of cinema in Doc Holliday. Kilmer just knew how to give us intriguing performances,...

Movie stardom rarely occurs overnight. Yes, there is typically a film where the star "arrives," but this performance usually comes after a series of supporting turns in movies or TV shows where they've swiped a scene or two. Eddie Murphy rocketed to fame via "48 Hrs.," but this came as no surprise to anyone who'd been watching him kill it on "Saturday Night Live." It might've felt like Peter O'Toole exploded out of nowhere in "Lawrence of Arabia," but his portrayal of a too-credulous guard in "The Day They Robbed the Bank of England" put moviegoers on notice that he was a special talent. And Julia Roberts popped in ensemble films like "Satisfaction" and "Mystic Pizza" before becoming America's sweetheart in "Pretty Woman."

When I rolled out of bed on the morning of June 22, 1984, Val Kilmer did not exist. When I came home from the movies that night, he was one...

Quick ViewWhat happened to Val Kilmer?Why did Tom Cruise get emotional during Top Gun: Maverick reunion with Val Kilmer?Tributes to Kilmer

Legendary Hollywood actor Val Kilmer died Tuesday at age 65, due to complications with pneumonia. Known in his various roles over the decades as Iceman (Top Gun), Batman, and Doc Holliday (Tombstone), Kilmer has nearly 100 film credits to his name.

Val Kilmer in Top Gun: Maverick. Credit – Paramount Pictures.

With an imposing presence and chameleon-like talent, Kilmer made a strong impression with his film debut in the spy parody Top Secret! (1984). However, his transformation into Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991) cemented his status as a top-tier actor. One to be taken seriously.

What happened to Val Kilmer?

Val Kilmer, the legendary actor known for his iconic roles in movies like Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, has passed away. As confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes to The Independent,...

It seems odd to refer to 1988's "Willow" as "the Willow movie," but that's because every nostalgic intellectual property is ripe for refreshing in the modern franchise era, and "Willow" finally got a sequel streaming series on Disney+, also called "Willow." Over 30 years passed between the two, and that's a lot of time for actors to change or even pass away. Warwick Davis' passion for his biggest lead role without special effects makeup never waned, and his enthusiasm is palpable still as he struggles to get the series reclaimed from the Disney vault into which it quickly vanished (and we know the annoying reason why).

The original movie, written by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, was an attempt to do for fantasy what "Star Wars" had done for science fiction, and it even featured groundbreaking special effects, like the first use of digital morphing. It was a box office disappointment in its day,...

The first time Kurt Russell met Val Kilmer was when the Hollywood homegrown was hanging out with Cher on the set of Silkwood, a 1983 docudrama. Kilmer, a 22-year-old Juilliard graduate at the time who had yet to see the release of a string of Eighties hits such as Top Secret! and the blockbuster Top Gun, already had an elusive quality about him that would lead to some of his biggest roles. “I could see then that he was the young guy who was very serious about what he wanted to do,...

It was the fall of 1983, and my brother, Jerry, Jim Abrahams and I were frustrated at the difficulty of casting the lead for our movie, Top Secret!.

We auditioned actor after actor with no success. Then our casting director, Susie Arnold, came across a young actor appearing in an off-Broadway play called Slab Boys. So we all got on a plane to New York and saw Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn and an obscure young actor named Val Kilmer. I don’t recall much about the play, but he looked good and appeared to be able to act, so the next day we had him come up to our offices on the 17th floor of the then-Gulf & Western building on Central Park South for an audition.

His reading was spot-on, but when he broke into an impromptu rendition of Elvis’ “Turn Me Loose,” we knew we had our star. He made us laugh,...

Val Kilmer had a face that belonged in movies. A stunningly beautiful heartthrob known for his chiseled jaw and shock of blonde hair that looked great either messy or perfectly coiffed, Kilmer practically glowed whenever he was onscreen, as if he was put on Earth by God himself for the purpose of getting immortalized on film.

What made Kilmer not just a flash-in-the-pan but an icon of the ‘90s, though, is that he was far more than just a pretty face. Trained at Julliard and initially finding work as a stage actor, Kilmer took his craft seriously, and in his peak years held all of his roles with equal weight, whether it was a prestige drama like “Heat” or a silly comic book blockbuster like “Batman Forever.” His choices in projects, especially later in life when he spent years playing his hero Mark Twin in live stage shows, reflected someone...

It’s not hard to imagine a topsy-turvy, role-swapping alternate reality where Val Kilmer plays Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in 1986’s Top Gun and Tom Cruise is cast as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. Kilmer’s Maverick would be cocky but also raw, exposed. Good at what he does but a desperate wreck at everything else. Kilmer’s specialty was giving the audience glimpses of intellect and compassion behind his steely gaze.

Cruise, on the other hand, could never have pulled off Iceman. Cruise was too much his lead character: an immature hotshot with a shit-eating grin.

For anyone who grew up watching movies in the 1980s, Val Kilmer, who died Tuesday, was something of an anomaly among the young Hollywood actors whose careers blew up during that decade.

Compared to Tom Cruise, Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Emilio Estevez, Robert Downey Jr., John Cusack or Tom Hanks, to name a handful of stars who emerged back then, Kilmer was not exactly a strapping action hero nor a smooth heartbreak kid. Nor did he come across as a brooding Method-style thespian, or as someone who could provide instant comic relief onscreen.

In some ways, Kilmer was all of these things at once, and therefore unclassifiable. He was mostly a great character actor with the looks of a leading man, capable of melting into roles that almost invariably had an edge to them.

His most memorable films, including Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone and Heat, were popular hits in...

Val Kilmer, the versatile and intense actor known for his iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors, died on Tuesday night in Los Angeles at 65, surrounded by family and friends. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that he died from pneumonia following a decade-long battle with throat cancer.

In 2019, uInterview captured exclusive footage of Kilmer talking about his health challenges at the Novus Conference.

Kilmer’s career was marked by dedication to his craft, and he often immersed himself deeply into his roles. He first gained recognition in the 1980s with standout performances in Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985). However, his role as Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun (1986) catapulted him to fame. His confident portrayal opposite Tom Cruise made him a fan favorite, and he later reprised the role in Top Gun: Maverick (2022).

In 1991, Kilmer took on the demanding role of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors,...

Actor Val Kilmer passed away on April 1, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of an extremely well-received filmography. Kilmer appeared in blockbuster movies such as Top Gun and Batman Forever, seeing a meteoric rise in Hollywood during the 1990s.

However, in the 1980s, Kilmer was a bit of an unknown commodity, especially when he tested for the role of Paul Atreides. He was considered for David Lynch’s adaptation of Dune, long before Timothée Chalamet’s more modern take on the character.

Val Kilmer on Conan (Credit: TBS).

Despite being a frontrunner for the role, Kilmer eventually lost to Kyle MacLachlan, who made his big-screen debut with the film. As a result, fans must be curious to know why Kilmer missed out, and reports alleged it was because of one facial feature. Here is everything you need to know about Val Kilmer’s audition for Dune.

Val Kilmer allegedly lost the lead...

The late Val Kilmer had a couple of Disney connections fans may have forgotten about!

It’s always sad when a major star passes away at a seemingly too young age. Val Kilmer may have fallen from his 1990s limelight, but it was still jarring to his many fans to hear the actor had passed away at the age of 65 on April 1 after a long battle with throat cancer and pneumonia.

The actor debuted in the 1984 cult comedy Top Secret! That led to turns in Real Genius before his star-making role as Iceman in the 1986 smash Top Gun. After that, Kilmer was a much-in-demand actor starring in numerous hits, including a turn as the Caped Crusader in Batman Forever as well as Heat, The Saint, The Ghost, and the Darkness, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and more.

Kilmer was, by his own admission, a temperamental man who could cause some messes on set.

Val Kilmer’s career was a journey marked by iconic roles and memorable performances. From his breakthrough in “Top Gun” to his return in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kilmer’s career spanned over four decades and left an indelible mark on the film industry. His versatility as an actor allowed him to take on a wide range of roles, each showcasing his unique talent and dedication to his craft.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Val Kilmer’s early career began with appearances in films such as “Top Secret!” (1984) and “Real Genius” (1985). His breakthrough came in 1986 with the blockbuster “Top Gun,” where he played the role of Iceman, an arrogant yet skilled fighter pilot. Kilmer’s on-screen chemistry with Tom Cruise and his ability to bring depth to a seemingly one-dimensional character showcased his talent as an actor. The film’s success opened many doors for Kilmer, and he quickly became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors.

Heatdirector Michael Mann remembered working with the late Val Kilmer today, after the news broke of the actor's death. Kilmer was 65 years old.

As per Deadline, Mann reflected on working with Kilmer on the set of the 1995 film Heat. "While working with Val on Heat I always marveled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character," he said. "After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news."

Kilmer played Chris Shiherlis in Mann's crime drama, which starred Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. The film tells the story of a conflict between an LAPD detective (Pacino) and a career criminal (De Niro), with Kilmer playing the thief's right-hand man. A sequel, based on Mann's debut novel Heat 2, was announced in 2022 and remains in development.

Other entertainment industry legends who paid tribute to...

Val Kilmer's death at the age of 65 has been met with an outpouring of love and heartfelt tributes across social media from devoted fans of the prolific actor and his vast body of work. The star, famed for his versatile roles in the likes of Batman Forever, Top Gun, and Heat, among many, many others, died on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from pneumonia. In the hours that followed the announcement, movie enthusiasts came together online to mourn the loss of a Hollywood great and remember some of his most iconic cinematic performances.

Kilmer made his feature debut in the 1984 spy spoof Top Secret!, in which he starred as rock and roll singer Nick Rivers, but that was only the beginning of his acting career on screen. He went on to star in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s and 90s, including playing Bruce Wayne and his superhero alter ego in Batman Forever,...

Val Kilmer, the actor famous for taking on Tom Cruise in Top Gun, the Riddler in Batman Forever and Johnny Ringo in Tombstone, passed away on Tuesday at age 65. But before Kilmer cemented his reputation as a powerful dramatic actor, he kicked off his career with some of the funniest performances of the 1980s.

Kilmer made his film debut in Top Secret!, the Zucker brothers’ criminally underrated follow-up to Airplane!. After the success of their disaster movie spoof, the Zuckers and Jim Abraham mashed together a parody of spy movies and Elvis musicals. Unlike Airplane!, which featured a cast of fading movie stars, Zaz went with complete unknown Kilmer for the lead role of singer Nick Rivers.

“He did a reading, did a couple of songs, and we thought, Hey, this is the guy,” remembered David Zucker in a ScreenCrush oral history of Top Secret.

“He could sing, he could...

Val Kilmer is gone. It’s strange to say, since he was such an important part of the fabric of movies – and of pop culture, really – for decades. And if it wasn’t movies, it was something else.

He hosted “Saturday Night Live.” He appeared in an endlessly touring stage show as Mark Twain. He had a reputation for being prickly, maybe difficult, but for turning in brilliant performances that only he could.

And then, starting in 2015, he began battling cancer. In 2017, he announced that he had experienced a “healing of cancer,” but he was still struggling. As a lifelong Christian Scientist, he didn’t want to accept medical treatment. Eventually he did, having throat cancer removed and leaving him without the ability to speak and being forced to eat via a feeding tube. In recent years, he had experimented with AI to replicate his voice. “Val,” a 2021 documentary produced...

The world dimmed a bit upon hearing the news of Val Kilmer’s passing. The legendary actor, known for iconic roles in films like Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, left behind a legacy that will always be remembered in Hollywood. Beyond his stellar performances, he was a mysterious figure with deep spiritual beliefs, often defying Hollywood norms. He was one of those rare actors who truly stood out.

Kilmer was also widely recognized for his method of acting. He was known to push the boundaries of immersing himself in his roles. For instance, when preparing to portray Jim Morrison in The Doors, he spent a year studying Morrison’s music and life, perfecting his mannerisms, and even had cast members call him “Jim” to fully embody the character.

Val Kilmer in Batman Forever | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

He was undeniably a great actor, but stepping away from his...

Descanse en paz. © Max

Val Kilmer, una de las personalidades más magnéticas y carismáticas de su generación, ha fallecido a los 65 años a causa de una neumonía, según ha informado su hija, Mercedes Kilmer, al New York Times. En los últimos años, el actor estadounidense había librado una feroz lucha contra un cáncer de garganta que dañó severamente sus cuerdas vocales, dificultándole su capacidad de hablar y apartándolo de los focos.

De sus inicios en la comedia (Top Secret! en 1984 y Escuela de genios en 1985) al estrellato en Top Gun: Ídolos del aire (1986) como Iceman, compartiendo pantalla con Tom Cruise, Kilmer demostró una versatilidad poco común en el Hollywood de los 80 y 90. Su carrera no hizo más que transitar géneros: el rock psicodélico de The Doors (1991), en la piel de Jim Morrison, el western de Tombstone: La leyenda de Wyatt Earp (1993), la violenta road movie de Amor a quemarropa (1993) con...

​Val Kilmer, the actor known for his roles in ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Batman Forever,’ and ‘The Doors,’ passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65 due to pneumonia.

Born in Los Angeles in 1959, Kilmer began his acting journey on stage, gaining early recognition for his performances in comedies like ‘Top Secret!’ and ‘Real Genius.’ He achieved widespread fame portraying Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the 1986 blockbuster ‘Top Gun.’ His depiction of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 film ‘The Doors’ further showcased his depth as an actor. In 1995, Kilmer took on the iconic role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in ‘Batman Forever,’ solidifying his status as a Hollywood leading man. ​

Also in news – First look image revealed for Sam Mendes’ ‘The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event’

Throughout his career, Kilmer was celebrated for his intense method acting, which, while yielding memorable performances, sometimes led to reports of challenging on-set behavior. Despite these challenges,...

Val Kilmer, the dashing Hollywood actor who gave us some of the most memorable characters in Hollywood movies, has passed away at the age of 65.

Whether he was performing as the quick-witted Doc Holliday or the dark, enigmatic Batman, Kilmer possessed a unique talent—he didn’t act; he became the character he was portraying. His capacity to utterly vanish into his characters kept people captivated, and every movie he worked on became something truly special. His legacy will be remembered through the amazing stories that he helped bring to life.

Val Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in the year 2015. This was a battle he candidly shared in his 2021 documentary Val, which premiered at Cannes. But long before that, Kilmer had already bared his soul in his memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry. From his early days to Hollywood fame, from love and heartbreak to personal regrets, he left no chapter of his life untold.

Hollywood is mourning today following the death of the much-loved and celebrated actor Val Kilmer. The star, known for his iconic performances in Batman Forever, Top Gun, and Heat (to name but a few), died on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, aged 65, from pneumonia. Tributes immediately started to pour in for Kilmer once the news of his death was announced, with Michael Mann and Josh Brolin among the top entertainment industry figures paying their respects. They reflected on the unique qualities the late actor possessed that shone through the various roles he brought to the screen during his diverse acting career.

Filmmaker Michael Mann, who famously directed Kilmer alongside fellow Hollywood heavyweights Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Jon Voight in the critically acclaimed 1995 crime-thriller Heat, remembered Kilmer for his "range" and "brilliant variability" as an actor. He said in a statement, per Variety:

"While working with Val on Heat I always marveled at the range,...

Val Kilmer, who died on Tuesday at the age of 65 after battling throat cancer, became one of the biggest stars of the ’80s and ’90s with a diverse array of films, ranging from action thrillers to biopics and comedies.

After scoring his first movie role in the 1984 action comedy “Top Secret,” Kilmer broke through with his performance in the sci-fi comedy “Real Genius” (1985) before soaring into the mainstream alongside Tom Cruise in 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun.” He then starred in Ron Howard’s fantasy “Willow” (1988) before receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 “The Doors” biopic.

The ’90s brought a steady stream of hits for Kilmer, who became one of the best-paid actors of the decade. He took on the Western genre alongside Kurt Russell in “Tombstone” (1993), starred in crime dramas including Michael Mann’s classic “Heat” (1995) and became a superhero the same year with Joel Schumacher’s “Batman Forever.

Val Kilmer suiting up as Batman in Batman Forever (1995) should’ve been the start of something legendary. The movie was a massive hit; Kilmer had the perfect mix of brooding and blockbuster charm, and Gotham had a new Dark Knight to root for. But when Batman & Robin (1997) hit theaters, fans were stunned to see George Clooney under the mask instead. Just like that, he was out. No sequel, no farewell, just a sudden switch that left fans asking: what really happened?

Rumors of behind-the-scenes drama, creative clashes, and studio politics spread like wildfire, but the real story? It’s way more layered than that. His exit didn’t just shake up Hollywood, but it also sent the Batman franchise spiraling into one of its most controversial eras before its eventual redemption.

Val Kilmer’s Batman in Batman Forever | Credit: Warner Bros

Fast-forward to 2025, and the world is mourning the loss of a true icon.

Val Kilmer was, to put in the parlance of his fellow 1980s icon Demi Moore, a popcorn actor. He was Iceman. He was Batman. He was Madmartigan. He was Jim Morrison. He was a Real Genius. He was our huckleberry.

Kilmer, the versatile, volatile teen idol-turned-brooding leading man, has died at 65 after a heroic battle with throat cancer, according to The New York Times. He leaves behind a screen legacy that, per IMDb, tallied 105 acting credits. Those included zeitgeist comedies, blockbuster action epics, fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and animated features — many of them indisputable classics helmed by a who's-who of filmmakers and starring some of Hollywood's greatest legends. Despite his enviable C.V., Kilmer never merited an Oscar nomination or an Emmy bid. The closest he got to a major award was a 2012 Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for The Mask of Zorro. But that's not to say Kilmer didn't deserve accolades.

Val Kilmer, the Hollywood star whose credits included The Doors, Batman Forever, and Top Gun, has died. He was 65.

The actor’s daughter Mercedes Kilmer, by his ex-wife Joanne Whalley, told The New York Times he died of pneumonia.

Kilmer was born in Los Angeles on December 31, 1959, and eventually attended the prestigious The Juilliard School in New York, becoming at 17 the youngest actor ever to be admitted.

He performed on Broadway in The Slab Boys in 1983 alongside Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon and a year later landed his first film role in the spoof Top Secret!

Kilmer went on to...

Val Kilmer, the Hollywood actor whose credits included The Doors, Batman Forever, and Top Gun, has died. He was 65.

According to reports the actor’s daughter Mercedes Kilmer, by his ex-wife Joanne Whalley, said he died of pneumonia.

Kilmer was born in Los Angeles on December 31, 1959, and eventually attended the prestigious The Juilliard School in New York, becoming at 17 the youngest actor to be admitted.

The 1984 spoof Top Secret! Marked Kilmer’s first film role and from there he went on to become a star by playing opposite Tom Cruise as the antagonist Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Tony Scott’s 1986 action hit Top Gun.

Michael Mann, Francis Ford Coppola, Nicolas Cage, Jim Carrey and Josh Brolin were among the many entertainment industry figures who paid tribute to Val Kilmer after news of his death was announced.

Kilmer died of pneumonia in Los Angeles, his daughter, actress Mercedes Kilmer, told The New York Times. He was 65. The actor was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015.

His death was announced as the actor was meant to be arriving for a rare red carpet appearance at the Beverly Hills Film Festival on Tuesday night. “It was a shock to find this out. We had just confirmed Val to attend the West Coast premiere of American Badass: A Michael Madsen Retrospective this past weekend,” Nino Simone, founder and president of the Beverly Hills Film Festival, said on Wednesday.

The much-loved and incredibly versatile actor had a diverse filmography, excelling both as a leading man (Batman Forever, The Saint, Top Secret!,...

They say time waits for no one, and Val Kilmer’s passing at 65 on April 1, 2025, reminds us of just how fleeting life truly is. One moment, he’s making us laugh in Top Secret! or sending chills down our spines as Iceman in Top Gun, and the next, the world learns of his death from pneumonia.

The actor who brought the enigmatic Jim Morrison and the brooding Batman to vivid life, whose performances made us laugh, weep, and catch our breath, is now a memory. Yet, as the saying goes, “The curtain never falls,” and Kilmer’s legacy remains a living echo in the characters we continue to hold dear.

What’s the cause of Val Kilmer’s death? Val Kilmer in The Doors | Credit: TriStar Pictures

It’s never easy to bid farewell to someone who touched so many lives, especially when they left a legacy of unforgettable performances.

Val Kilmer, the actor known for playing Iceman in Top Gun, Jim Morrison in The Doors, and the Caped Crusader in Batman Forever, has died at age 65.

News of Kilmer’s passing was confirmed by his daughter Mercedes Kilmer, who told the Associated Press that the actor died of pneumonia on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by friends and family.

Val Edward Kilmer was born on December 31st, 1959 in Los Angeles. Despite becoming one of the biggest movie stars of the 1980s and ’90s, he began his career in theater, starring in productions of Orestes and in The Wood Demon as a student at Juilliard. He was so committed to being a proper thespian that he turned down a role in The Outsiders to attend to prior theater engagements — though acting alongside Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn, and Jackie Earle Haley in an Off Broadway production of The Slab Boys...

Actor Val Kilmer, whose film roles included Iceman in Top Gun, the titular superhero in Batman Forever and Doc Holliday in Tombstone, has died at the age of 65.

Kilmer died on Tuesday of pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes tells The New York Times. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, and a procedure on his trachea reduced his speaking voice to a whisper. A 2021 documentary, Val, documented his health issues along with his film career.

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The iconic actor Val Kilmer, best known for roles such as Jim Morrison in 1991's The Doors and "Ice" (Adm. Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky), in 1986's Top Gun, has died at the age of 65 according to his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, who told The New York he died of pneumonia on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. This follows a decade of medical issues for Kilmer. The actor's final film fittingly found him reprising his role as 'Iceman' in Top Gun: Maverick, though the actor would continue to be involved in the arts with his painting. His final Facebook post, on March 22, 2025, included his last painting. He wrote, "It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you’re still wide awake." Rest in peace, sir.

It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down...

Some horrible news to start the day. Actor Val Kilmer has died at the age of just 65, it’s been announced,

Just awful news, this. Actor Val Kilmer has died, at the age of just 65. It’s no secret that he’d been diagnosed with cancer of the throat just over ten years ago, but still: reading the news coming in overnight is a terrible shock.

According to a report at the New York Times, the cause of his death has been attributed to pneumonia. He leaves behind one heck of a body of a work, and no shortage of film stories too.

Top Secret! was his movie debut, the film that the Zucker Abrahams Zucker team made after Airplane!. It remains a sublimely funny piece of work, with a superb performance at the heart of it.

Of course, from there, Kilmer built up a career with a collection of memorable roles.

Val Kilmer, the dashing Los Angeles-born actor who became a movie star after soaring with Tom Cruise in Top Gun, and later starring in roles as varied as Batman, Jim Morrison, Mark Twain and Doc Holliday, died April 1. Before a battle with throat cancer that would rob his ability to speak, Kilmer starred in a wide swath of movies, from blockbusters like Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever to Westerns like Tombstone, musical biopics like Oliver Stone’s The Doors and later indie hits like Wonderland (playing ’70s porn star John Holmes) and Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, all employing in various capacities his trademark sly wit and always just the right touch of likeability. Related: Val Kilmer Dies: ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Doors’ & ‘Batman Forever’ Star Was 65 It was Top Gun that cemented his fame, though, playing hotshot pilot and Cruise foil Iceman in Tony Scott’s 1986 action blockbuster. Here...

Val Kilmer has died. The actor known for his roles in films like Batman Forever, Top Gun, and The Doors was 65 years old. The performer’s death was confirmed by the New York Times, which revealed it was the result of pneumonia. As fans of Kilmer know, the actor battled throat cancer on and off for several years since 2015. Born in Los Angeles in 1959, Kilmer was raised by his father Eugene and mother Gladys and attended high school with famous classmates like Mare Winningham. He was accepted into the Juilliard School and was the youngest student at the time of his attendance. He went on to appear in various stage productions, making his Broadway debut opposite Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon in 1983’s The Slab Boys. From there, he made his way to film and television, and he made his feature debut in 1984 with the spy parody Top Secret! from David Zucker,...

Actor Val Kilmer has passed away. Known for several fan-favorite roles, from Doc Holliday to Batman, the actor was 65 years old.

The New York Times reported on the passing of Kilmer, with his daughter, actress Mercedes Kilmer, confirming the news. According nto his daughter, Kilmer died in Los Angeles due to pneumonia. He'd previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015. His subsequent health struggles had been chronicled in the documentary Val, released in 2021.

Val Edward Kilmer was born on New Year's Eve in 1959. At the age of 17, he started studying acting at Juilliard in New York. This led to his work in theater, and he made his Broadway debut in 1983 with a role in Slab Boys. He'd make his debut in film by playing teen idol Nick Rivers in the 1984 film Top Secret!, following it up with a role in tthe1985 film Real Genius.

A big break came quickly for...

Val Kilmer, who starred in a string of high-profile films such as Batman Forever and The Doors before receding from the silver screen amid health issues, died on Tuesday at the age of 65.

His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the actor’s death to The New York Times, adding the cause was pneumonia. She said Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered.

The actor shot to fame in the Eighties with features in Top Secret!, Real Genius, and the mega blockbuster hit Top Gun playing naval aviator Tom...

Val Kilmer, the celebrated actor known for intensely committing to his performances and for starring roles in films like “Tombstone,” “Top Gun,” “The Doors” and more, died Tuesday from complications of pneumonia. He was 65.

His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, made the news public.

A Los Angeles native born in 1959, Kilmer grew up in the San Fernando Valley and as a teenager set a record as the youngest student to be accepted into the Julliard school of Drama (the record was broken by Seth Numrich.)

Kilmer pursued a stage career when he started acting professionally in the early 80s, but launched his film career with “Top Secret!” a parody of both World War II dramas and musical comedies starring Elvis Presley directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker, the team behind “Airplane!”

The film, though considered a bomb, showcased Kilmer’s matinee idol looks, impeccable comic timing but also his versatile singing voice,...

Val Kilmer, the Juilliard-trained actor with leading man looks known for taking on roles that transcended his appearance, has died. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to the New York Times that the actor had passed away after battling pneumonia. He was 65.

Kilmer’s early films included comedies like Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985), as well as his breakout role as Lt Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986). That was followed by the fantasy film Willow (1988).

His big break as a leading man came with his swaying, leather-clad portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors.

After his outing as The Lizard King, Kilmer lead Thunderheart (1992) before opting for scene-stealing co-starring roles in Tombstone (1993), True Romance (1993) and Heat (1995).

“Someone sent me a poll recently where Tombstone snuck into the top 10 Best Westerns of all time,” Kilmer later told Deadline. “I don’t know if that film is a classic,...

Val Kilmer, the star of films such as “Top Gun,” “Batman Forever,” “The Doors,” and many more classics, has died, his daughter told The New York Times. He was 65.

Kilmer died of pneumonia at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 1, his daughter told Nyt. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, rendering him unable to speak and having him disappear from Hollywood for years, but he had recovered.

The Iceman in “Top Gun” opposite Tom Cruise, Kilmer was one of the coolest leading men around but also one of Hollywood’s most unsung stars. He had a handsomeness and charm but also a guarded, reserved presence and mystique that made him perfect to play a rock star like Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors,” one of his most acclaimed performances, as well as tentpole roles like Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever.” He broke out in films such as “Real Genius,...

Val Kilmer, who played Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever,” channeled Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” and starred as a tubercular Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” died Tuesday in Los Angeles. His daughter Mercedes told The New York Times the cause was pneumonia. He was 65. He had been battling throat cancer for several years.

Kilmer’s reps did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.

The baby-faced blonde actor had a solid run as a leading man with a volatile reputation in the ’80s and ’90s, starring in “Top Gun,” “Real Genius,” “Willow,” “Heat,” and “The Saint.” He returned briefly to screens in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick” although he could no longer speak due to his cancer.

In 2021, a documentary on his life, “Val,” was released. His son provided the actor’s voice and the film utilized hundreds of hours of video he had recorded over the years,...