Val Kilmer - ©Theda Bara

The name I introduce to you in this post is Val Kilmer, an American actor of German, Swedish, Irish and Cherokee descent, who passed away yesterday (April 1), in California). 

Kilmer was originally a stage actor, who became popular in the mid-1980s after starring in several comedy films, starting with “Top Secret!” (1984), playing the character: “Nick Rivers” and “Real Genius” (1985), playing the character: “Chris Knight”. He also starred in action films, including a supporting role in “Top Gun” (1986) and “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) as “Tom Kazanski” (his final film, as his voice was weakened by cancer), and a larger role in “Willow” (1988), playing the character: “Madmartigan”. During the 1990s, Kilmer gained critical acclaim after starring in several box office hits, including his roles as “Jim Morrison” in “The Doors” (1991); “Doc Holliday” in the Western “Tombstone” (1993); “Batman” in “Batman Forever” (1995); “Chris Shiherlis” in “Heat” (1995); “Colonel John Henry Patterson” in “The Ghost and the Darkness” (1996); “Simon Templar” in “The Saint” (1997); and in the animated musical film, he voiced “Moses and God”, in “The Prince of Egypt” (1998).

In 2020, Val Kilmer released his memoir: “I’m Your Huckleberry”, in which he goes into detail about his battle with throat cancer and his failed relationships with famous actresses.

A philanthropist, Kilmer helped NGOs whose causes he considered just, such as Habitat for Humanity, AmeriCares and Wildlife Center, which earned him the Humanitarian Award in 2022.

Val Kilmer was born, lived and died in Los Angeles and inexplicably does not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, nor any relevant awards in film, TV or theater.

Born Val Edward Kilmer, in Los Angeles, California, on December 31, 1959 - died due to pneumonia, on April 1, 2025, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 65.

In his marriage to British actress Joanne Whalley (1961-) from 1988 to 1996, the actor had two children: actress Mercedes Kilmer (1991-) and actor Jack Kilmer (1995-).