Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, renowned for his role as Tom “Ice Man” Kazansky in the 1986 action film, “Top Gun,” has died at 65.
Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, emailed The Associated Press, confirming Kilmer died of pneumonia Tuesday night surrounded by family and friends in Los Angeles. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, but had recovered following two tracheostomy procedures.
In his role as Ice Man, Kilmer played a young, cool foil to fellow fighter pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (played by actor Tom Cruise). During the movie, the two pilots compete and refine their skills at the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School inspired by a real pilot training program administered by the U.S. Navy.
During the 1990s, Kilmer played prominent acting roles in several blockbusters, including “Tombstone,” and “Heat.” He also played the iconic DC Comics superhero Batman in 1995’s “Batman Forever.”
In 2022, Kilmer returned to the big screen as Ice Man one last time in “Top Gun: Maverick” – 36 years after the original film debuted.
Apart from acting, Kilmer was also a painter and a founder of the TwainMania Foundation, an organization aimed at introducing Mark Twain curriculum into schools.
Kilmer married and divorced actress Joanne Whalley. He is survived by their two children, Mercedes and Jack.
