His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed his death to the press on Wednesday. According to a statement given to The New York Times, Kilmer died from pneumonia at his Los Angeles home on Tuesday, April 1.
Fans and colleagues are mourning the loss of the talented actor, whose career left an enduring impact on the film industry.
Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, a battle that affected his ability to speak and kept him largely out of the spotlight for years. He shared his journey in his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, and the Amazon Prime documentary Val.
Born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles to real estate developer Eugene Kilmer and homemaker Gladys, Kilmer was the middle of three sons. He attended Chatsworth High School alongside Kevin Spacey and Mare Winningham before becoming the youngest person ever accepted into Juilliard at just 17.
Kilmer’s breakout role came in 1984 with Top Secret!, followed by Real Genius in 1985.
In 1988, he married actress Joanne Whalley, whom he met while filming Willow. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1996.
Kilmer's legacy will live on through his unforgettable performances and contributions to cinema.
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