Sad reality of Val Kilmer’s ‘bedridden’ final years

There’s a sad reason ailing actor Val Kilmer was not seen in public during the final years of his life, it’s been revealed.

Val Kilmer was reportedly bed-bound for years before he tragically died from pneumonia at the age of 65 on Tuesday.

Sources close to the star told TMZ today that he suffered from a lack of energy due to his past cancer treatment.

According to the outlet, Kilmer became “frail” and his health declined in the past week. His loved ones visited him in the hospital in the days before his passing.

He had previously been hospitalised earlier this year, though the reason is unknown.

Per the outlet, Val’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, 33, and son, Jack Kilmer, 29, are planning their late father’s funeral.

Before becoming bedridden, he was last seen in public with his daughter at the Thespians Go Hollywood Gala in 2019.

Reps for Val weren’t immediately available to Page Six for comment.

Val’s health issues started in 2015 when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. However, he was declared cancer-free in 2021.

The “Willow” star lost his ability to speak after undergoing two tracheotomies during chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Kilmer (left) with Al Pacino in 2019. Picture: Getty Images

Another 2019 appearance, shortly before he retreated from public life. Picture: AFP

Despite not being able to talk, the actor reprised his role as Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick and spoke with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology.

Mercedes, meanwhile, confirmed to the New York Times that the Top Gun star had died at his Los Angeles estate on Tuesday, local time.

She and her mother, Joanne Whalley, were photographed embracing outside her West Hollywood, California, home, the following day.

Val and Whalley met in 1986 while filming the 1988 film Willow.

The exes wed in 1988 and divorced in 1996 shortly after the actress gave birth to Jack.

Val previously told the Tampa Bay Times that he found out about his “divorce while watching CNN in a hotel room” and referred to it as “the second most expensive in New Mexico.”

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Sad reality of Val Kilmer’s ‘bedridden’ final years