Morning Man Classic: Val Kilmer!

Sadly, Val Kilmer has died of pneumonia at the age of 65.

The man who portrayed Batman in the 1995 film Batman Forever, Jim Morrison in the 1991 film The Doors and had memorable roles in the films Heat, Top Gun, Tombstone, Real Genius and Willow published his memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir in 2020.

In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer and subsequently underwent a tracheal procedure that damaged his vocal cords, leaving him with severe difficulty speaking. But he continued to work including reprising his role of Admiral Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. The 2021 documentary film Val, which chronicles his health struggles and career, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim.

Some of his other films include The Ghost and the Darkness, The Saint, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Red Planet, Alexander and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Kilmer told The Hollywood Reporter in recent years that he was “too serious” during the height of his career. “I’d get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way,” he explained.

“I would like to have more Oscars than anybody,” he added. “Meryl Streep must feel pretty good, you know? It must feel nice to know that everyone loves her. It’s about being loved.”