Val Kilmer is dead
He was not an actor who chose the safe path. With the portrait of The Doors Front Man Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 film, he delivered one of his most acclaimed performances. And with « Batman Forever » from 1995, he took on the role of the knight of darkness, in an era where superhero movies did not yet dominate Hollywood. Hans Batman was a more neutral and family -friendly version of the hero than what Michael Keaton had portrayed in the films « Batman » and « Batman Returns » the years before.
Private life also often became the subject of public attention. In 1988 he married actress colleague Joanne Whalley, whom he met during the footage of the fantasy movie « Willow. » The marriage held until 1996, and together they had two children: Mercedes and Jack.
Since 2014, Kilmer has struggled with serious illness after being diagnosed with neck cancer. According to his daughter, he overcame the disease but health remained fragile.
The last role on the big canvas became a touching reunion with the « Top Gun » universe as he returned as an Iceman in « Top Gun: Maverick » in 2022-a role with clear parallels for his own life and health struggle.
We from the editorial board send our thoughts to his family and friends and thank you for the many amazing cinematic experiences.
