Val Kilmer, the iconic actor known for his roles in Top Gun and Batman Forever, ultimately succumbed to pneumonia, according to his recently released death certificate from the Los Angeles County Department of Health. The document lists acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, chronic respiratory failure, and squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue as underlying causes, with contributing factors including malnutrition and a tracheocutaneous fistula. Kilmer, who passed away on April 1 at age 62, was cremated on April 7.
The actor had faced significant health challenges since his 2015 throat cancer diagnosis, which left him with limited vocal abilities. For his poignant return as Iceman in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, filmmakers utilized AI technology to recreate his voice. Sources reveal Kilmer’s condition deteriorated in his final years, with the actor bedridden for months before his passing.
Hollywood mourned the loss of the beloved star, with tributes pouring in from industry giants like Francis Ford Coppola, Cher, and Jim Carrey. Tom Cruise honored his former co-star with a heartfelt moment of silence at CinemaCon, reflecting on their shared legacy in the Top Gun franchise. Kilmer’s daughter had previously confirmed his peaceful passing after battling pneumonia.
