‘Batman’ Icon Val Kilmer Has Died — Here’s What We Know

He once donned the cape of a superhero and embodied the spirit of a rock legend. Now, after years away from the limelight, the man whose performances moved generations has passed away.

Val Kilmer, the acclaimed actor celebrated for his portrayals of Jim Morrison and Batman, has died at the age of 65. He passed peacefully on Tuesday, April 1, in Los Angeles.

Val Kilmer during an interview in Munich in 1992 | Source: Getty Images

His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that the cause of death was pneumonia. She also shared that Val had previously battled throat cancer, a diagnosis he received in 2014, and had fought courageously for years.

Born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, Val was raised in the Chatsworth area. His rise to fame came in the 1990s when he cemented his place as one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading men. In Batman Forever (1995), he stepped into the role of Bruce Wayne, opposite Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey — a performance that drew both praise and critique but remains iconic.

Val’s life behind the scenes was often as dramatic as his roles. In a 2017 interview at his Brentwood art studio, he appeared with his two children — Mercedes and Jack — from his marriage to actress Joanne Whalley. At the time, he was undergoing treatment for throat cancer. His voice was permanently altered by a tracheotomy, but his spirit remained unshaken.

Val and Mercedes Kilmer at the 2019 Annual Thespians Go Hollywood Gala on November 18, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

Around the time of his diagnosis, tragedy struck again — Mercedes was seriously injured in a car accident. Both father and daughter were hospitalized simultaneously. “We were in the same hospital at the same time,” she recalled. Jack, their emotional anchor, later described feeling “miserable and distraught” witnessing the pain of both his sister and father.

Despite these trials, Val relied on faith. As a devout Christian Scientist, he found solace in spirituality, while also undergoing chemotherapy. Through hardship, his bond with his children only deepened.

Val Kilmer at Simply Shakespeare’s Live Read of “The Merchant Of Venice” in 2019 | Source: Getty Images

In 2020, Val made a quiet but determined return to acting with Paydirt, where he played a sheriff navigating life with a speech impairment — a role that mirrored his own reality. Co-starring with Mercedes, the project became a powerful reflection of resilience. She described it as both a revelation and a testament to her father’s unique artistry.

“My dad has this amazing ability to communicate beyond words,” she said. “He taught me so much — not just about acting, but about presence, about strength.”

Mercedes Kilmer and Jack Kilmer attend the Premiere of Amazon Studios’ “VAL” at DGA Theater Complex on August 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Val, never one to dwell on the past, embraced change with wit and humor. “The industry changes every six months,” he joked. “Even the Batmobile’s smarter now.”

His final creative moments were spent immersed in visual art. On March 23, he shared an image of a glowing art piece with the caption: “It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the campfire cools down but you’re still wide awake.”

In June 2019, he opened up about his lifelong mission as an artist, using his platform to promote empathy and literacy through the TwainMania Foundation — a project dedicated to education and social change. To Val, storytelling was a vessel for truth. Whether on screen or canvas, his work was always about connecting deeply and authentically.

His filmography spans genres and decades — from the satirical Top Secret! (1984) to his spellbinding performance as Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991), to the brooding, unforgettable Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993). He starred in thrillers like Heat (1995), action classics like The Saint (1997), and emotionally rich dramas like Thunderheart and The Ghost and the Darkness.

Mercedes Kilmer at “Val” photocall during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 7, 2021, in France. | Source: Getty Images

Val Kilmer’s strength as an actor came from his intensity — an ability to vanish into every role, to challenge expectations, and to never play it safe. Even through illness and silence, he remained a storyteller.

His passion, vulnerability, and legacy will echo for generations.

Our thoughts are with his children, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work.
Rest in peace, Val Kilmer. 🎭🕊️