Val Kilmer was best known for his role as Iceman in the 1986 hit Top Gun and Batman Forever has died at the age of 65 as his after daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed the heartbreaking news
Val Kilmer, the star celebrated for his roles in blockbusters such as Top Gun and Batman, has died aged 65 after a long career in Hollywood.
His died in Los Angeles, California and his cause of death was pneumonia says his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer.
The Willow and Top Secret star, who also played Elvis, had a long-running fight with throat cancer, which was diagnosed in 2014. In 2015, he faced a critical situation when he had to be rushed to UCLA Medical Center due to significant bleeding caused by an oral cancer tumour.
Remembered for his iconic portrayal of Iceman in ‘Top Gun’ opposite Tom Cruise in 1986, Kilmer also graced the screen as Batman/Bruce Wayne in ‘Batman Forever’ (1995), and depicted Jim Morrison in The Doors’ (1991).
Kilmer’s enduring legacy includes the documentary ‘Val’ on Amazon Prime, where he delves into the highs and lows of his life and career, including his struggle with cancer.
Following his cancer diagnosis, he underwent rigorous treatments involving radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and a tracheostomy – a medical procedure that involves creating an opening in the neck to aid breathing.
Though he conquered the cancer, the treatments left their mark, gravely affecting his voice. The documentary ‘Val’ offers an intimate look at his challenging moments during recovery, particularly when he shared: “You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat.”
The Hollywood legend opened up about his decision to let cameras into his life for a documentary, revealing with his ‘new’ voice: “Now that it’s more difficult to speak, I want to tell my story more than ever.
He shared the challenges he faces while speaking, saying: “I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can’t speak without plugging this hole [in his throat].”
Expressing his appreciation for the medical interventions that have prolonged his life, he added: “I am blessed… I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed.”
Despite battling health issues, Kilmer didn’t hang up his acting boots until 2022, making a memorable comeback as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick. Just two years prior, he had taken on a starring role in the 2020 crime thriller Paydirt, among other projects.
Kilmer leaves behind his two children, Jack and Mercedes, having had the opportunity to act alongside his daughter in Paydirt during his final years on screen.
Despite losing his voice to cancer several years ago, actor Kilmer wowed fans when he made a surprise appearance in the new Top Gun: Maverick.
It turns out Kilmer was able to reprise his role as Tom Cruise’s nemesis ‘Iceman’ from the original Top Gun flick thanks to artificial intelligence.
A powerful AI was used to generate more than 40 different versions of the actor’s speaking voice, enabling him to say a brief line of dialogue in the Top Gun sequel.
By bringing together hours of archive footage of Kilmer talking, AI company Sonantic was able to create a computer-generated version of his voice in 2021 and then develop this further for use in Top Gun: Maverick.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
