Veteran Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, best known for his role as Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever, passed away in Los Angeles on April 1 at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed his passing to The New York Times. Kilmer had been battling throat cancer for several years and ultimately succumbed to complications from pneumonia.

Kilmer's career began with comedic roles in Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985), but he gained widespread recognition in 1986 as Lt. Tom "Iceman" Kazansky in Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise. He continued to make a mark in Hollywood with films such as the fantasy adventure Willow (1988).

His breakthrough as a leading actor came in 1991 with his portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s biographical film The Doors, where he embodied the legendary frontman of The Doors with a mesmerizing performance. This was followed by notable roles in Tombstone (1993), True Romance (1993), and Heat (1995), cementing his status as a powerful performer in the industry.

Despite his dominance in the 1980s and 1990s, Kilmer’s screen presence diminished in later years due to his health struggles. However, he made a brief but impactful return to the silver screen in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), reprising his role as Iceman despite having lost his voice to cancer.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kilmer attended Hollywood Professional School before enrolling at the prestigious Juilliard School. Over the years, he lent his voice to animated films such as The Prince of Egypt and worked on a variety of projects, including At First Sight, Red Planet, The Salton Sea, Wonderland, and The Missing.

His later filmography included Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) with Robert Downey Jr., Déjà Vu (2006) with Denzel Washington, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), and The Snowman (2017). In 2012, Kilmer received a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for his narration of Zorro.

Kilmer also chronicled his life and career in his 2020 memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry, named after his famous line from Tombstone.

He was previously married to actress Joanne Whalley, with whom he had two children, Mercedes and Jack. His legacy as an actor and performer remains influential in Hollywood, remembered for his remarkable range and dedication to his craft.