Organizers at the film festival expected the “Top Gun” star at the evening premiere when news of his death broke — a shocking, heartbreaking coincidence.
Val Kilmer’s death coincided with a scheduled public appearance. The actor, who reportedly died on Tuesday, April 1, had been set to walk the red carpet that evening at the Beverly Hills Film Festival.
The event marked the West Coast premiere of “American Badass: A Michael Madsen Retrospective,” which opened the festival’s 25th year. Nino Simone, president and founder of the Beverly Hills Film Festival, said, “It was a shock to find this out,” in a statement released on April 2.
Val had confirmed his appearance at the West Coast premiere just days earlier, making the timing of his death particularly jarring.
“[Kilmer] was thrilled to come out in support of his friend [Madsen],” Simone added. “I know PR was on the phone, trying to get a hold of the driver, bringing Val for his 7:30pm [sic] red carpet arrival. The story and news of his death were reported literally at the same, exact time. Unbelievable, and so heart-breaking. Our hearts go out to his family.”
As previously reported, Val died in Los Angeles, at the age of 65. According to his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, the cause of his death was pneumonia. She noted that Val had previously battled throat cancer, diagnosed in 2014, and had since recovered.
Val was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles. He grew up in the Chatsworth neighborhood, tucked into the city’s far northwest corner.
Val rose to stardom in the 1990s, becoming a leading man with a range that extended beyond blockbuster roles. Among his most iconic appearances was as the caped crusader in “Batman Forever” (1995).
In the film, he faces off against villains Two-Face, played by Tommy Lee Jones, and the Riddler, portrayed by Jim Carrey. While the film achieved commercial success, neither Val’s performance nor the movie itself were universally embraced as high points in the Batman legacy.
His off-screen life took a dramatic turn in the years that followed. In 2017, during a rare interview at his Brentwood art studio, Val sat beside his two children, Mercedes and Jack — both born during his marriage to British actress Joanne Whalley.
At the time, he was in the midst of a grueling fight with throat cancer. A tracheotomy had left his voice a harsh rasp, and his breathing labored. The struggle was made even more difficult by a personal crisis.
Around the time of his diagnosis, Mercedes was struck by a car in a serious accident. “We were in the same hospital at the same time,” she later recalled. Jack, watching both his sister and father endure medical recoveries, remembered the moment vividly. “I was just, you know, miserable, distraught, sitting next to these two.”
Despite the hardship, Val leaned on faith. As a Christian Scientist, he found spiritual grounding through his illness, though he also underwent chemotherapy in his battle against the disease. Through it all, his relationship with his children deepened.
By 2020, Val made a quiet but determined return to the screen. He starred in “Paydirt,” an indie action film in which he portrayed a sheriff — a role that mirrored his real-life condition. His character, like him, had a speech disability.
“It’s pretty historic to have a lead with a speech disability,” Mercedes, who co-starred in the film, told People at the time. She called the experience a revelation, both professionally and personally.
“My dad’s able to very artfully circumvent the limitations of his speech,” she said. Mercedes explained that watching how he communicated physically had taught her a great deal about acting and had expanded her understanding of what acting could be.
Val, never one to shy away from change, took the shift in stride. “The business changes every six months,” he joked. “The Batmobile has become much smarter since then.”
The project became more than a film, it became a symbol of resilience. “The health challenges have been just that, challenging,” Mercedes said, “but so many good things have come out of it.” Val echoed the sentiment. “They really have done everything to make my health as usual,” he said.
In another joint interview with Mercedes, when Val was asked how he was doing, he replied in a coarse and strenuous voice, “I’m doing great, I feel a lot better than I sound.”
Though his voice was altered, his creative spirit remained intact right to the end.
His final public moments reflected the artist he had always been. On March 23, Val posted an image of his latest artwork, a glowing visual piece accompanied by the caption, “It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you’re still wide awake.”
For him, acting was never just about performance; it was about finding truth in every character and sharing that truth with audiences. He spoke about bringing that same passion to his work with the TwainMania Foundation, an initiative aimed at promoting empathy, literacy, and tolerance through education.
Val, along with other collaborators, had been working to develop a curriculum rooted in those values. He hoped the program could take root in Los Angeles and eventually expand nationwide.
The post also served as a thank-you to friends and supporters who had stood by him and the cause. He encouraged others to join the effort, emphasizing the potential of education to shape a more compassionate future.
Throughout his career, Val built a diverse filmography that showcased his range and charisma. Early on, his striking looks and commanding presence often landed him roles with a rock-star edge — including his debut in “Top Secret!” (1984), where he played a singing American caught up in Cold War chaos.
In “The Doors” (1991), Val delivered one of his most memorable performances, fully inhabiting the role of Jim Morrison with a hypnotic intensity. Just two years later, he made a brief but memorable appearance in “True Romance.”
He took on leading roles in films like “Thunderheart “(1992), portraying a young FBI agent on a Native American reservation, and “The Saint “(1997), where he played a master of disguise entangled with the Russian mob.
In “Tombstone” (1993), Val stood out, earning praise alongside a cast that included Kurt Russell and Sam Elliott. He joined forces with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in the crime thriller “Heat” (1995), playing a member of a high-stakes robbery crew.
Other notable appearances included “The Ghost and the Darkness” (1996) and “Pollock” (2000). In Oliver Stone’s “Alexander” (2004), Val took on the role of Philip of Macedon, father to the future conqueror.
Throughout his film journey, Val became known, not just for his roles, but for his ability to disappear into them — unpredictable, committed, and always compelling. His career was marked by bold choices and layered performances.
His dedication to craft, even in the face of personal trials, left a lasting imprint on film. He leaves behind a legacy of fearless artistry and unforgettable performances.
Our condolences go to his family. Rest in peace, Val Kilmer.
