Just days before his death, Val Kilmer shared his last heartfelt post on Instagram, marking the end of an era. Known for his memorable performances, the 65-year-old actor passed away on April 1. His daughter, Mercedes, disclosed that his cause of death was pneumonia after battling various health issues over the past ten years.
Many might recall that Kilmer, famous for roles in movies like Top Gun and Batman Forever, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. To combat the illness, he underwent chemotherapy and a tracheotomy, which permanently affected his vocal cords.
Val Kilmer, who first appeared on screen in the 1984 movie Top Secret, opened up about his illness and recovery journey in his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, and the Amazon Prime documentary titled Val.
In this documentary, Kilmer candidly shared, “I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can’t speak without plugging this hole (in his throat). You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.”
Kilmer’s last acting credit was in the 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick, where he revisited his iconic role as Iceman. After his intense battle with cancer, he moved away from acting to focus more on art, a passion that he showcased frequently on his Instagram account.
His final Instagram post was a testament to his artistic spirit, featuring a photo of one of his paintings. The caption read: “It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you’re still wide awake.”
The last time Kilmer himself appeared in a post was on February 23, with Walking Dead star and artist David Choe. Donning a Batman mask, Kilmer humorously captioned the moment: “It’s been a while.”
In the wake of his passing, heartfelt tributes have poured in, celebrating the life and legacy of Val Kilmer. Actor Josh Brolin paid homage on social media, stating: “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.”
Lamenting the loss of an icon, Josh Gad wrote: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Farewell, Val Kilmer. Your spirit and creativity left an indelible mark on countless lives.
