al Kilmer, who played Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever, channeled Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors, and gave us an unforgettable Doc Holliday in Tombstone, died Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 65. His daughter Mercedes confirmed to The New York Times that the cause was pneumonia. Kilmer had been battling throat cancer for several years.
His reps haven’t issued a statement yet, which is understandable. The family is now facing that surreal, disorienting moment that comes with losing someone—especially someone as larger-than-life as Kilmer.
When Val Kilmer was tapped to play Batman back in the ’90s, he was at the height of his fame. He was a Hollywood heartthrob and one of the defining faces of that decade. His portrayal of the Caped Crusader was met with mixed reviews at the time—but in hindsight, it really wasn’t bad at all. Especially when you remember what came next: George Clooney’s nipple suit. Kilmer might not have been Keaton, but he was a solid bridge during a strange era for the franchise.
What makes Kilmer’s passing especially sad is knowing how hard the last several years were for him. He suffered immensely, losing his voice and health to throat cancer. And yet, he still showed up when he could—his brief but emotional return as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick was a powerful reminder of his talent and resilience.
Rest in peace, Val. Thanks for the memories.