Val Kilmer Dead? Brolin’s Tribute Will Break Your Heart
On Tuesday evening, it came as a surprise to many famous actors when they heard about the passing of Val Kilmer, well-known for his roles in Batman Forever and Heat, at the age of only 65.
In the heartfelt memorial, it was his close friend and acting companion, Josh Brolin, who took the lead, honoring the deceased celebrity who passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday due to pneumonia.
Actor from No Country for Old Men posted a nostalgic picture of the two grinning widely before Kilmer underwent an emergency tracheotomy in 2014, following his diagnosis of throat cancer.
‘See ya, pal,’ Brolin captioned the photo affectionately. ‘I’m going to miss you.
He highly commended Kilmer as a “sharp, thought-provoking, courageous, and incredibly inventive spark,” further noting that “there are few like him left today.
Brolin expressed his hope that he’d meet you in the afterlife someday. Until that time, he wishes for you to have wonderful recollections and pleasant thoughts about our shared experiences.
On Tuesday, it was Mercedes Kilmer, the daughter shared with former wife Joanne Whalley, who announced the passing of her father, Jim Kilmer.
In 2014, the screen icon was found to have throat cancer and had to undergo surgery that included a tracheotomy, which severely affected his speaking ability. However, he was eventually given the all-clear for cancer.
Kilmer gained fame for portraying Iceman in the successful 1986 film Top Gun and Batman/Bruce Wayne in 1995’s Batman Forever. Despite having a permanently impaired voice, he reappeared briefly on screen in the 2022 release of Top Gun: Maverick.
He also famously played musician Jim Morrison in the 1991 film The Doors.
Beyond Mercedes, age 33, he is additionally survived by his son, Jack Kilmer, aged 29. Notably, Jack Kilmer was married to his mother, Joanne, between the years 1988 and 1996.
Besides Mercedes who’s 33 years old, his son Jack Kilmer, 29, is also among those who survive him. Jack and their mom Joanne were married from 1988 to 1996.


Kilmer received treatments including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and a tracheostomy – a medical process that involved creating an opening in his neck to facilitate breathing.
In the end, he severely harmed his vocal cords, which resulted in a permanent change to his speaking voice.
In the Amazon Prime documentary titled “Val,” Kilmer openly discussed dealing with the aftermath of throat cancer, which includes utilizing an electronic device known as a voice box inserted into an opening in his throat to facilitate speech.
He mentioned that he sounds far more unwell than he actually feels. He needs to cover a sore spot in his throat whenever he talks.
An electronic speaking device, usually powered by batteries, is typically employed to generate sounds and thus produce a voice. This tool is often used to aid individuals battling throat cancer in their communication efforts.
The performer, needing a feeding tube for his meals too, elaborated on some additional difficulties he faced.
He stated, “There comes a time when you must decide whether to breathe or eat. This challenge is quite evident whenever I am around.
In the documentary, it was Val’s son who delivered the voice-over, yet the dialogue was penned by Val himself.
Earlier, Kilmer shared that he didn’t realize he had throat cancer until a time when he vomited clotted blood and subsequently requested an ambulance due to fainting.







He then woke up in a Santa Monica hospital after an emergency tracheotomy for throat cancer.
2020 saw Kilmer sharing that he recovered swiftly after being diagnosed with throat cancer, during a conversation on Good Morning America.
He explained, “This procedure here is called a tracheotomy. It’s used to aid my breathing since the glands in my throat have become swollen and obstructed my airways.
When queried by GMA about what he longs for most regarding his voice, Kilmer replied: “I missed having one in the first place! And I also missed not laughing like a pirate.
In the ’90s, Jim Kilmer was a highly influential leading actor in Hollywood, but frequent disagreements with directors and actors, along with a string of box office failures, negatively impacted his acting career.
Over time, I’ve come to be known for my fiery spirit, unwavering dedication, meticulous nature, and at times, a touch of self-importance – all traits that have been part of my unique charm as a fanatic admirer.
In an interview with the Orange County Register in 2003, Kilmer stated that when some individuals criticize him for being demanding, he believes it’s a disguise for their own shortcomings. He suggested they are attempting to shield themselves from accountability.
‘I believe I’m challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.’

In 1984, he first appeared on the big screen in the humorous spy parody titled Top Secret!, followed by a role in the zany comedy film Real Genius, which was released in 1985.
In 1986, he skyrocketed to fame as a co-star with Tom Cruise in the blockbuster movie Top Gun, portraying naval aviator Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky. Decades later, he acted alongside Cruise once more in the 2022 continuation of that film titled Top Gun: Maverick.
Kilmer was thrilled for the opportunity to reprise his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick.
In the original 1986 movie, the actor gained recognition for portraying the composed adversary opposite Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick, who exuded a cool demeanor.
Nevertheless, when the actor revealed during a 2013 conversation with Larry King that he hadn’t been contacted for a potential Top Gun follow-up, it is said that Cruise mobilized his team to guarantee his friend’s involvement in the project.
During a chat with People, the filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer stated that Tom expressed his intention to not produce the movie unless he was involved.
After the script’s final approval, it included a provision for Ice, now an Admiral, to join in on the festivities.
As the producer, I can tell you, it was a deeply moving experience for us all when we filmed him, as he was part of our project and managed to accomplish what he did in the script. Having Iceman and Maverick together on screen again was a long-cherished dream, and that’s exactly what filmmaking is about – creating moments like this that audiences adore.
That particular element is one that received high marks from critics and fans alike.

In the 1988 fantasy film “Willow,” directed by Ron Howard, Val Kilmer played a role. During this time, he also tied the knot with his fellow actor from the UK, Joanne. Together they raised two kids until their subsequent divorce.
Or, more informally:
Val Kilmer appeared in Ron Howard’s movie “Willow” (1988), and he wed British actress Joanne on set. They had two children together before eventually parting ways.
In one of his toughest acting assignments, he portrayed Jim Morrison, the captivating yet tragically fated frontman of the iconic rock group The Doors, in Oliver Stone’s film “The Doors” (1991).
As a devoted admirer, I compiled a compelling eight-minute video showcasing my likeness to Morrison throughout different stages of his life, while also displaying my vocal talents. The movie features my unique singing voice, which I believe will effectively persuade Stone to consider me for the role.
During his career, The Doors marked some of the most prominent years for him. He took on the role of the old west gunfighter, Doc Holliday, in the 1993 Western movie titled Tombstone.
1995 was a fruitful year for him, as he shared the screen with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the gritty crime film “Heat,” and took over the role of the Caped Crusader from Michael Keaton in “Batman Forever,” marking his entry into the third installment of the Batman series.
In my perspective, the movie “Batman Forever” wasn’t met with overwhelming praise from critics. Interestingly, during that filming, both Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey managed to steal some limelight from Val Kilmer as Batman. Unfortunately, after this experience, Kilmer decided not to reprise his role in the following Batman movie.
Director Joel Schumacher described Kilmer as the individual with the most profound psychological challenges he had ever collaborated with.
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2025-04-02 08:51