Val Kilmer’s Cause of Death: ‘Top Gun’ Star’s Long History of Health Issues

Val Kilmer, the actor best known for roles in Top Gun, The Doors, and Batman Forever, died Thursday in Los Angeles at the age of 65. His death was caused by pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes confirmed to U.S. media.

Kilmer’s passing comes after years of public and private health struggles, most notably his long battle with throat cancer. Diagnosed in 2014, Kilmer initially denied the diagnosis publicly before confirming it in a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I was too serious,” Kilmer said at the time. “I’d get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way.”

Why It Matters

Kilmer’s illness significantly impacted his career and public appearances. After undergoing a tracheotomy and radiation treatments, he lost the ability to speak naturally. His condition became more widely known through the 2021 documentary Val, which chronicled his health journey alongside rare footage from decades of his personal and professional life.

Despite these limitations, Kilmer made a celebrated return to film in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. The scene was adapted to accommodate his condition, using brief dialogue and onscreen text. In a 2021 statement to People, Kilmer discussed regaining his voice via artificial intelligence: “I’m grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who restored my voice in a way I never imagined possible.”

What to Know

Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles. He enrolled at the Juilliard School at age 17, becoming the youngest person at the time to be accepted into its drama division. Over the next three decades, he built a diverse and acclaimed career, portraying figures ranging from Jim Morrison to Doc Holliday.

His health struggles became a defining part of his later years. In addition to the physical toll, Kilmer also explored the spiritual dimensions of his journey. He remained a practicing Christian Scientist, a faith that initially complicated his approach to conventional treatment. By 2017, however, Kilmer acknowledged he had undergone extensive medical care and surgeries related to his cancer.

What People Are Saying

Tributes poured in following the announcement of his death. Actor Josh Brolin wrote on Instagram: “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you… You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those.”

What’s Next

Kilmer is survived by his two children, Jack and Mercedes, whom he shared with actress Joanne Whalley. Plans for a memorial have not been publicly announced.

As fans revisit his performances—from Iceman to Batman—Val Kilmer’s legacy remains defined not only by his onscreen characters, but also by his creative persistence through profound personal challenges.