Iceman Val Kilmer, who we all know and love from the Top Gun movies, has passed away at age 65.
The last film he ever made actually was ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ in 2022, a final goodbye between Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky and Maverick (Tom Cruise).
Kilmer died of pneumonia
Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, says he passed away due to pneumonia in Los Angeles, where the actor was born and raised.
Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, but was able to recover. By the time Top Gun Maverick was filmed, he was using a breathing tube following a tracheostomy. That is why he wore a scarf to cover his throat in the film.
His health may have been in decline, but the chemistry between he and Maverick was still there like it was 1986 all over again (the original Top Gun).
Filming Together One Last Time in Top Gun Maverick was Emotional for Both Cruise and Kilmer
“It was like no time had passed at all,” said Kilmer about it in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “We blew a lot of takes laughing so much. It was really fun. Special…”
“I was crying,” said Tom Cruise in an interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in 2023. “I got emotional. He’s such a brilliant actor, and I love his work. I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character — he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again. You’re looking at Iceman.”
“I was very moved the first time I saw it. Almost 40 years is a long time for a reunion,” Kilmer told USA Today in 2022. “We laughed all day. Tom is great.”
Kilmer never actually wanted to do Top Gun
Life is funny isn’t it? Kilmer’s biggest role ever was arguably Iceman. As big as Top Gun was for his career, he initially did not want to do it. He had to.
Kilmer did not like the theme or story when he was presented with the film, but was legally obligated to do it. He reflected on that huge decision in his 2021 documentary, called “Val”.
“I thought the script was silly, and I disliked warmongering in films. But I was under contract with the studio, so I didn’t really have a choice,” said Iceman.
Kilmer had a legendary career
While many of us AvGeeks love Iceman the most for obvious reasons, Kilmer had an impressive resume of big hits. Personally, some of this writer’s favorites were Heat and Tombstone.
Blue Skies Iceman, and thank you for the memories and inspiration.
