Val Kilmer, the beloved actor known for his unforgettable roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, The Doors, and Tombstone, has passed away at the age of 65. A true Hollywood icon of the ’80s and ’90s, Kilmer’s career was marked by his versatility, charisma, and a powerful on-screen presence. Despite being one of the highest-paid actors of his time and grossing over $3.7 billion worldwide,
he remained an underrated talent, as film critic Roger Ebert once noted. However, his career took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. The illness and subsequent treatment left his vocal cords severely damaged, making it difficult for him to speak. Though he briefly returned to the screen in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, his once-dominant voice was only a faint echo of what it had been.