Val Kilmer, the California-born actor trained at Juilliard, known for his roles in Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, and Batman Forever, has passed away at 65, as reported by The New York Times. According to the publication, Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, stated that pneumonia was the cause of death.

Rising to prominence as a leading Hollywood star in the 1990s, Kilmer was known for his intense, perfectionistic approach, which sometimes led to conflicts with directors and co-stars. His reputation as temperamental and demanding affected his career, particularly after a string of unsuccessful films. Defending himself in a 2003 interview with the Orange County Register, Kilmer said, "I believe I'm challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that."

Kilmer made his film debut in the spy comedy Top Secret! (1984), followed by Real Genius (1985). His breakthrough came in 1986 with Top Gun, where he played Tom "Iceman" Kazansky alongside Tom Cruise. Decades later, he reprised the role in the 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick. He starred in Ron Howard’s fantasy film Willow (1988), where he met and later married British actress Joanne Whalley. The couple had two children before divorcing.

One of his most celebrated performances came Oliver Stone's The Doors (1991), where he portrayed rock legend Jim Morrison. Determined to secure the role, Kilmer created an eight-minute audition tape, showcasing his ability to emulate Morrison’s voice and appearance. His singing was used in the final film.

The early 90s marked the peak of his career. He starred as Doc Holliday in the 1993 Western Tombstone and delivered strong performances in Heat (1995) alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. That same year, he replaced Michael Keaton as Batman in Batman Forever, the third film in the franchise. However, the movie received mixed reviews, with Kilmer overshadowed by co-stars Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey. He declined to return for the sequel. Director Joel Schumacher later described Kilmer as "the most psychologically troubled human being I've ever worked with."

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.