Val Kilmer made his last appearance on Instagram just days before he passed away. At the age of 65, the beloved actor left us on April 1 after battling various health challenges over the last ten years. His daughter, Mercedes, shared with the New York Times that his cause of death was pneumonia.
Many of you might remember Val Kilmer as the legendary star of iconic films like Top Gun and Batman Forever. In 2014, his life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. His fight against the disease involved chemotherapy and a tracheotomy, which unfortunately resulted in permanent damage to his vocal cords.
Debuting in the 1984 film Top Secret, Kilmer shared insights into his health journey and recovery through his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, and the Amazon Prime documentary, Val.
In the documentary, Kilmer mentioned, “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.”
His very last movie appearance was in Top Gun: Maverick, released in 2022, where he charmingly revisited his role as the famous Iceman.
Following his intense cancer battle, Val Kilmer shifted his focus from acting to art, allowing his creative spirit to flourish. His Instagram became a canvas for his artistic expressions, where he frequently showcased his work.
In his last Instagram post, he shared a photo of one of his paintings, accompanied by a caption that read: “It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the campfire cools down but you’re still wide awake.”
The last image to feature Kilmer himself was uploaded on February 23. In the picture, the Willow actor is seen with David Choe, the Walking Dead star and fellow artist. Kilmer wore a Batman mask, playfully noting, “It’s been a while.”
Tributes have poured in from fans and friends alike, deeply mourning the loss of this legendary actor.
Actor Josh Brolin expressed his condolences through social media, “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.”
Meanwhile, Josh Gad found the perfect words to honor Kilmer: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Rest in peace, Val Kilmer! Your legacy will touch countless generations and your art will continue to speak to us, forever cherishing the memories you’ve left behind.
