Val Kilmer, a renowned actor celebrated for his iconic roles in 1980s and 1990s blockbusters, has passed away at the age of 65. According to his daughter Mercedes, as reported by the New York Times, the cause of death was pneumonia. Kilmer was best known for his performances in Batman Forever and Top Gun, among other notable films.

Born on December 31, 1959, Kilmer had been battling throat cancer for nearly a decade. The illness significantly impacted his life, leading to chemotherapy and two tracheotomies, which ultimately left him unable to speak. Prior to his diagnosis, Kilmer was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, starring in films like Tombstone, Heat, and The Saint. He continued to maintain a steady film presence throughout the 2010s and 2020s, appearing in MacGruber, Planes, and Top Gun: Maverick. In 2021, a documentary film titled Val was released, chronicling his life up to that point.

In addition to his film career, Kilmer had a notable presence in television, often making guest appearances in shows such as Psych and Entourage, as well as lending his voice to KITT in the Knight Rider reboot. More recently, he reprised his role as Madmartigan in the Disney+ Willow sequel series through archive footage from the 1988 film, with the assistance of his son Jack and the use of AI technology to recreate his 1988 performance.

Kilmer is survived by his two children and ex-wife Joanne Whalley. Our condolences go out to them during this difficult time.

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