Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most enigmatic and beloved stars. Val Kilmer, the versatile actor known for iconic roles in Top Gun, The Doors, and Batman Forever, has died at the age of 65.
Kilmer, who had been battling throat cancer for several years, passed away from pneumonia, according to his daughter Mercedes.
Here are some of our favorite Val Kilmer roles.
Batman / Bruce Wayne – Batman Forever (1995)
In Batman Forever, Val Kilmer stepped into the Bat-suit, delivering a sleek, brooding take on Bruce Wayne in one of the most visually striking entries in the Batman franchise. His portrayal balanced the duality of billionaire playboy and tortured vigilante, cementing his place among the most memorable Batman actors in film history.
Doc Holliday – Tombstone (1993)
As Doc Holliday in Tombstone, Val Kilmer delivered one of the most celebrated performances of his career. His witty, chilling, and scene-stealing portrayal of the tubercular gunslinger became iconic, turning lines like “I’m your huckleberry” into legend. Kilmer’s Doc Holliday performance is widely regarded as one of the best Western movie roles of all time.
Tom “Iceman” Kazansky – Top Gun (1986)
In Top Gun, Kilmer became an ’80s icon as Iceman, the cool, confident rival to Tom Cruise’s Maverick. With his ice-cold stare and slick flying skills, Kilmer’s performance helped define the film’s enduring legacy and made Iceman one of the most recognizable characters in action movie history.
Gay Perry – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Kilmer stole the show as Gay Perry, a sharp-tongued private detective in Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. His performance was both hilarious and heartfelt, showcasing his often underrated comedic timing and breathing new life into his career with this neo-noir cult classic.
Jim Morrison – The Doors (1991)
In Oliver Stone’s The Doors, Kilmer fully embodied rock legend Jim Morrison, delivering an electrifying, near-uncanny performance. From vocals to mannerisms, Kilmer blurred the line between actor and subject, earning critical acclaim for what remains one of the most immersive music biopic performances ever filmed.
Chris Shiherlis – Heat (1995)
In Michael Mann’s Heat, Kilmer played Chris Shiherlis, a skilled but troubled thief alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. His nuanced performance brought depth and vulnerability to the role, helping cement Heat as one of the greatest crime dramas ever made.
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[…] Val Kilmer Dead At 65: A Look Back at His Most Iconic Movie Roles […]