Val Kilmer, renowned for his roles in Batman Forever and his musical work with The Doors, passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65, as confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, in a statement to the New York Times. The family shared that the cause of his death was pneumonia.
Despite a successful acting career, which included notable performances in films like Heat, Top Gun, and Willow, Kilmer’s career faced challenges following his throat cancer diagnosis in 2014. The treatment he received significantly impacted his ability to communicate. He is survived by his ex-wife, Joanna Whalley, and his two children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer.
Val’s marriage to actress Joanna Whalley began in 1988, but the couple divorced in 1996, shortly after they met on the set of Willow. Whalley cited “irreconcilable differences”as the reason for their separation, expressing hope for an amicable resolution.
Mercedes Kilmer, born on October 29, 1991, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, followed in her father’s footsteps and became an actress and producer, notably working on the Prime Video documentary, Val.
Jack Kilmer, born in June 1995, also pursued a career in entertainment, contributing as an associate producer on Val. He has appeared in various films, including Pretenders (2018), Josie, Summer ’03, and Palo Alto, where he starred alongside James Franco.
Insights into Val Kilmer’s Character from His Children
Following Val Kilmer’s cancer diagnosis, Mercedes and Jack took to social media and interviews to keep fans updated on their father’s health. In an interview with PEOPLE in August 2021, after Val was declared cancer-free, they shared poignant insights about their father.
Mercedes described Val’s personality by saying:
“At his best, he’s the most intelligent, vocal, super witty, funny and all of the good things about speaking. His worst is he loves a good argument. [The damage to his voice] really profoundly altered how he’s had to communicate, but he’s so smart that he finds ways to communicate outside of it.”
Jack offered his perspective on their father’s relentless drive and creativity. He said:
“He’s a guy who wants to go out there and just be the best that he can be and he doesn’t have time to think about how vulnerable he is because he’s thinking about the next smash-box-office hit. He has crazy energy. He can’t be stopped.”
Mercedes opened up further about their father’s battle with throat cancer, recalling the initial grim prognosis. She characterized Val as “physically resilient”and noted that his humor provided both inspiration and relief, even during hospital stays where he would joke with the medical staff despite the severity of his condition. The family found it particularly challenging given Val’s celebrity status, which often intensified their experiences.
Val Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles and enjoyed a celebrated career in Hollywood. After stepping away from acting, he resided on a ranch in New Mexico, where he engaged in painting and contributed to theatre programs for local high school students.