‘Top Gun’ star Val Kilmer dies aged 65 as cause of death revealed

The beloved Hollywood star, best known for his role in Top Gun, has died aged 65, as his daughter announced his cause of death.

Val Kilmer has died aged 65.

The US actor, best known for starring in Hollywood blockbuster Top Gun and its 2022 sequel, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, per the New York Times.

His daughter Mercedes Kilmer, 33, told the outlet her father died from pneumonia, a lung condition which makes breathing difficult. It is one of the most common causes of death worldwide.

Kilmer has suffered health struggles over the past decade, having been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014.

He later recovered from the disease, but lost his voice during treatment and used an electric voice box to communicate.

US actor Val Kilmer died on April 1 in Los Angeles. He was 65. Picture: Francois Guillot/AFP

He is best known for starring as Iceman in Top Gun. Picture: Getty Images

Celebrity tributes have started pouring in following Kilmer’s death, with Josh Brolin writing, “I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.”

Born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, Kilmer’s career spanned over four decades, during which he had notable roles as his breakout performance as villain ‘Iceman’ in the 1986 film Top Gun, and a turn at Batman in 1995’s Batman Forever.

Despite undergoing treatments which impacted his vocal cords, he reprised his role as Iceman in the blockbuster 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick.

His return for the widely acclaimed follow-up to one of the most iconic movies of this generation was a deeply emotional experience for both Kilmer and co-star Tom Cruise.

Kilmer infused his real-life illness into the script, resulting in a poignant scene between the two beloved characters – and longtime friends – that unwittingly formed the heart of the billion-dollar movie.

Iceman ultimately dies toward the end of the film.

Kilmer reprised his role of Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick.

“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,” Cruise told Jimmy Kimmel in 2022.

“I was crying. I got emotional,” Cruise continued. “He’s such a brilliant actor, and I love his work.”

In the scene in question, Iceman is seen communicating with Maverick (Cruise) by typing words on a screen, before mustering up the strength to use his speaking voice.

“Very personal and moving,” Kilmer told media when asked what it was like shooting the moment.

Kilmer separated from his wife of eight years, actress Joanne Whalley, in 1996.

The couple shared two children, daughter Mercedes and son Jack, the latter of whom was born in 1995.

Kilmer’s colourful life in the spotlight

Kilmer was known for being “difficult” to work with. Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty/ AFP

Kilmer, who made his feature film debut in the 1986 action comedy Top Secret!, had a reputation for being “difficult” to work with.

Notably, it was heavily reported Kilmer and Batman Forever director Joel Schumacher didn’t get along during production, with Schumacher dubbing the actor “childish and impossible.”

John Frankenheimer, who directed the 1996 film The Island of Dr. Moreau, told Entertainment Weekly at the time he had no desire to work with Kilmer again, condemning his work ethic.

Further reports suggested Kilmer was frequently late to set, got in arguments with cast and crew, and, infamously, burned a cameraman with a cigarette, which the actor has claimed was an accident.

Actors Nicole Kidman and Val Kilmer starred in Batman Forever.

Participating in a Reddit forum Q&A in 2017, Kilmer made a rare admission about the diva reports which had plagued him over the years.

“I didn’t do enough hand holding and flattering and reassuring to the financiers,” the actor wrote at the time.

“I only cared about the acting and that didn’t translate to caring about the film or all that money.

“Sometimes when you are the head of a project and the lead actor is usually the reason a film is being made, unless it’s a superstar director, then it’s only fair to make people feel good and happy they are at work. I was often unhappy trying to make pictures better.”

He also became known for his flurry of high-profile partners, including brief romances with Cher, Cindy Crawford, Daryl Hannah, Angelina Jolie and Ellen Barkin.

Angelina Jolie, Colin Farrell and Val Kilmer starred in ‘Alexander’. Picture: ShowBizIreland/Getty Images

In his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, Kilmer wrote it was his break-up from US actress Hannah, whom he dated in 2001, which hurt the most.

Kilmer and actress Daryl Hannah. Picture: Vince Bucci/Getty Images

“Lord knows I’ve suffered heartache. But Daryl was by far the most painful of all,” Kilmer wrote.

I knew I would love her with my whole heart forever and that love has lost none of its strength.”

In the book, Kilmer also claimed he hadn’t “had a girlfriend in 20 years.”

“The truth is I am lonely part of every day,” he wrote.

Originally published as ‘Top Gun’ star Val Kilmer dies aged 65 as cause of death revealed