Mercedes Kilmer and Val Kilmer at the 2019 annual Thespians Go Hollywood Gala on November 18, 2019. Photo:
Michael Tullberg/Getty
Val Kilmer made his last public appearance over five years before his death.
The actor’s daughter Mercedes, 33, confirmed to The New York Times that he died of pneumonia on Tuesday, April 1, at the age of 65.
She also added that he was previously diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered.
Kilmer’s last public outing took place with Mercedes at the annual Thespians Go Hollywood Gala at Avalon Hollywood in 2019.
At the event on November 18, 2019, the star posed for photos on the red carpet with his only daughter, who is also an actor and costarred alongside her dad in 2020’s Paydirt.
In addition to Mercedes, Kilmer shared son Jack, 28, with his ex-wife, Joanne Whalley.
Val Kilmer at the annual Thespians Go Hollywood Gala on November 18, 2019. Michael Tullberg/Getty
Kilmer, who is known for movies such as 1986’s Top Gun and 1995’s Batman Forever, made his final appearance onscreen in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, a sequel to the 1986 classic.
Reprising the role of Tom “Iceman” Kazansky alongside Tom Cruise’s Pete Mitchell, Kilmer appeared in the film briefly, sharing a touching moment with Cruise, 62, onscreen.
“I just want to say that was pretty emotional,” Cruise, 62, told Jimmy Kimmel in 2023 about working with his costar again. “I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.”
Mercedes also opened up about her father starring in the sequel and called his on-set encounter with Cruise “extraordinary.”
“It means a lot to my dad as he’s very proud of that film. This is what he loves to do,” she told Page Sixin 2022. “It was trippy and very special for my dad to be on set with all of his friends who made this movie when they were my age.”
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Weeks before his death, Kilmer appeared in an Instagram video with artist and musician David Choe on Feb. 23.
Returning to his Batman Forever role Bruce Wayne, the star sat on the ground before wearing a rubber black and white Batman mask.
“I’m ready,” Kilmer said. “I have an angle for us. It’s been a while.”
Mercedes Kilmer and Val Kilmer at the annual Thespians Go Hollywood Gala on November 18, 2019. Michael Tullberg/Getty
Choe, who was captured working on what appeared to be another art piece that matched Kilmer’s mask, assured him, “Well, you look great.”
Stars including Josh Brolin, Josh Gad and Billy Zane have paid tribute to Kilmer following his death.
Zane, 59, wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Kilmer as Don Holliday in his 1993 movie Tombstone, “If ever a filmography captures the essence of a true artist by every definition, it’s this man’s canon. Rest In Peace Amigo. See ya when I see ya. @valkilmerofficial.”
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“See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,” added The Goonies star Brolin, 57, on Instagram alongside a picture of the pair.
