Val Kilmer was not only a legendary actor but also a devoted father to two “brilliant” children. As they continue to navigate life in the spotlight, they’ve embraced their father’s influence while pursuing their own passions.
Val Kilmer’s family and fans are mourning the loss of the legendary actor, who passed away on April 1, 2025, at 65. Known for his unforgettable roles and resilient spirit, Kilmer’s greatest pride in life was always his two children — a lasting part of his legacy that lives on.
Throughout his remarkable career, Kilmer left an indelible mark on Hollywood, starring in iconic films like “Top Gun” and “The Doors.” But beyond the silver screen, his most meaningful legacy may well be his children. They are now grown and have each found their path in the entertainment world.
Meet Val Kilmer’s kids — his daughter, who shared a deep, unbreakable bond with her father that grew even stronger through a life-changing hospital experience, and his son, a gifted actor with whom Kilmer once shared the screen, and who carries not only his father’s features but also his creative spark.
Mercedes Kilmer
Mercedes, born on October 29, 1991, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is Val’s eldest child and has forged a path in Hollywood as an actress and producer.
Known for roles in films like “Ingrid” in 2015 and “Prettyface” in 2016, she quickly gained recognition for her talent and determination to create a career independent of her famous lineage.
From an early age, Mercedes was aware of the spotlight that followed her parents, Val and mother Joanne Whalley. “It was about navigating how other people perceived us rather than any kind of reckoning,” she explained, reflecting on her upbringing in the public eye.
This ability to adapt and persevere became even more critical when her family faced a major challenge. In 2017, her father went public with his throat cancer diagnosis, a battle that began when he discovered a lump in his throat.
Shortly after his diagnosis, Mercedes endured a traumatic car accident that left her hospitalized with a scar on her leg. During that challenging period, the father-daughter duo found themselves in the same hospital, supporting each other through their respective recoveries.
“The health challenges have been just that, challenging, but so many good things have come out of it. We all spend so much time together. Even just getting to meet all my dad’s friends from before I was born — there are so many beautiful things that happen when you need help from people,” she said.
After undergoing a tracheotomy that altered the sound of his voice, Val triumphantly returned to acting in “Paydirt.” In the film, he portrayed a sheriff whose pursuit of a career-defining case ultimately led to his downfall, mirroring his own life with a speech impairment.
The film marked not only his comeback but also Mercedes’ feature film debut. Val shared that when the producer approached him for the role, he suggested his daughter.
“I’m not sure if you’ve already cast someone for the part of my daughter, but I might know the perfect person — her name is Mercedes Kilmer,” he recalled saying.
After the producer and Mercedes met, they had a “ball” and the collaboration began. For Mercedes, working on the heist film turned into an invaluable learning experience.
Playing alongside her father, she embraced the opportunity to learn from his resilience and adaptability as an actor. “It’s pretty historic to have a lead with a speech disability,” Mercedes said of her father’s role in the film.
Reflecting on the experience, she credited her father for teaching her new dimensions of acting. Watching him use physical expression to overcome the challenges of his speech taught her invaluable lessons about communication and performance.
“My dad’s able to very artfully circumvent the limitations of his speech, so I learned so much watching him, how he communicated physically. It taught me so much about acting that expanded what I thought acting was, which was central to speech,” she explained.
Val was equally in awe of his daughter, revealing that she taught him about “everything — life itself.” The “Top Gun” star described both of his kids as “really brilliant” and admitted, “I am just madly, wildly entertained by them.”
The famous actor has long prioritized his family over work, revealing that he turned down “really great directors” to be a “responsible” family man.
“[…] I was trying to be responsible to my family or my marriage. I just didn’t pay attention to business. I can’t be a responsible parent and only be there three or four months a year,” he said. The actor’s dedication to his family not only shaped his career choices but also inspired his children to find their own paths.
In addition to acting, Mercedes has a passion for music and dreams of blending her talents by playing a singer on screen. However, she’s kept many of her creative projects private to carve her own identity, separate from her family’s fame.
“[…] Not ’cause I don’t love my family or respect their work or anything, but just for the sake of having my own individual experience from which to draw as an actor […],” she explained.
With her dedication to acting and storytelling, Mercedes continues to build a career defined by her unique perspective and the lessons she’s drawn from her family’s extraordinary journey.
