Actor Val Kilmer died in Los Angeles from pneumonia at age 65 on April 1, 2025. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but later recovered.
Among the many roles he is known for was Batman Forever (1995), which marked a significant shift in the Batman film franchise.
In the above clip from the film, Kilmer is featured alongside Jim Carrey as Edward Nygma / The Riddler, Tommy Lee Jones as Harvey Dent / Two-Face, Nicole Kidman as Dr. Chase Meridian and Chris O’Donnell as Dick Grayson / Robin.
You can watch a 4-minute clip from the movie above. Just press the top left play button on the feature image to watch it.
Batman Forever moved away from Tim Burton’s earlier darker, gothic vision to a more vibrant and stylized approach under director Joel Schumacher. One of the most significant changes was the recasting of Batman himself, with Kilmer stepping into the cape and cowl following Michael Keaton’s departure.
Kilmer’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne / Batman was a departure from Keaton’s brooding, introspective take. While still maintaining a sense of seriousness, Kilmer’s Batman was more polished, charismatic, and physically imposing. His Bruce Wayne was more confident and accessible, while his Batman was sleek and efficient in action.
Kilmer’s tenure as Batman was short-lived. Behind-the-scenes conflicts and creative differences led to him being replaced by George Clooney in the following Batman & Robin (1997).
Versatile Hollywood Icon
Born on Dec.31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, Kilmer attended Juilliard’s prestigious drama program, becoming one of its youngest-ever students. His early career saw him in stage productions before making his film debut in Top Secret! (1984), a parody that showcased his comedic timing.
Kilmer then rose to prominence in the mid-1980s with standout roles in Real Genius (1985) and Top Gun (1986), where he played the cocky but skilled fighter pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise. His performance in Top Gun cemented him as a Hollywood heartthrob and a formidable talent.
Throughout the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Kilmer demonstrated remarkable versatility. He starred as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991), fully immersing himself in the role by mimicking Morrison’s voice and mannerisms with eerie accuracy. He followed this with strong performances in Tombstone (1993), where he portrayed the charismatic and doomed Doc Holliday, and in True Romance (1993), making a brief appearance as an ethereal vision of Elvis Presley.
After 1995’s Batman Forever, he continued to take on ambitious roles, starring in The Saint (1997), The Prince of Egypt (1998), and The Salton Sea (2002), though his mainstream visibility declined. In the 2000s and 2010s, he worked in independent films and television, including a memorable turn in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) alongside Robert Downey Jr.
In the mid-2010s, Kilmer faced a personal and professional challenge when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. The illness and its treatment severely impacted his voice, limiting his ability to act in traditional roles. However, he reprised his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick (2022).