LOS ANGELES (AP) Val Kilmer, the versatile actor known for iconic roles in “Top Gun,” “Batman Forever,” and “The Doors,” died Tuesday night in Los Angeles at 65, surrounded by family and friends, according to his daughter Mercedes.
Following a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies, Kilmer ultimately succumbed to pneumonia. In his 2021 documentary “Val,” he reflected poignantly: “I have behaved poorly, bravely, and bizarrely. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself I never knew existed.”
The youngest actor ever admitted to Juilliard at the time, Kilmer’s career traversed remarkable highs and challenging lows. His breakthrough came with the 1984 spy comedy “Top Secret!” and “Real Genius” in 1985, showcasing early comedic talents he would later revisit in films like “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”
Kilmer’s career peaked in the early 1990s, starring in critically acclaimed films like “Tombstone,” “True Romance,” and Michael Mann’s “Heat.” Mann praised Kilmer’s remarkable acting range, describing his performance as a “powerful current of possessing and expressing character.”
Known for his method acting intensity, Kilmer immersed himself completely in roles. For “Tombstone,” he filled his bed with ice to authentically portray Doc Holliday’s tuberculosis; while preparing for “The Doors,” he lived as Jim Morrison, wearing leather pants and requesting to be addressed only by the musician’s name.
This commitment earned him a reputation for being challenging, a characterization he acknowledged but defended. “In an unflinching attempt to empower collaborators and honor each project’s truth, I was deemed difficult,” he wrote in his memoir “I’m Your Huckleberry.”
His Batman portrayal in “Batman Forever” was notably lukewarm, with Kilmer himself admitting the restrictive costume made performance difficult. “You can barely move, can’t hear anything, and eventually people stop talking to you,” he recalled.
Despite professional turbulence, Kilmer remained a respected artist. He published poetry, was nominated for a Grammy, and created visual art while maintaining his lifelong Christian Scientist beliefs.
Survived by his children Mercedes and Jack, Kilmer’s final public statement resonated with characteristic optimism: “I have no regrets. I’ve witnessed and experienced miracles.”
A complex, passionate artist, Val Kilmer leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances and unwavering artistic commitment.
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