Hollywood actor Val Kilmer’s final social media post has been uncovered following the news the star died at the age of 65.
The star, known for his roles in Top Gun and Batman Forever, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, his daughter Mercedes confirmed.
The cause of death was pneumonia, according to his daughter, and Kilmer died surrounded by family and friends.
The actor had previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, from which he later recovered.
His death comes after years of public and private health struggles that significantly impacted his career and public appearances.
Kilmer’s haunting final Instagram post, shared on February 23, showed the actor trying on a Batman mask.
In the video, he can be seen sitting next to a painting of his iconic superhero role.
“It’s been a while,” Kilmer jokingly remarked as he donned the black and white version of his costume and looked into the camera.
The post has since become a place for fans to pay tribute, with many calling him a “treasure” and a “legend”.
Just under two weeks before his death, Kilmer shared artwork he had created, writing: “It’s got that late-night glow.”
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Kilmer rose to fame as the competitive naval aviator Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun.
He delivered a memorable performance as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors, where he was described as “eerily realistic” as the iconic frontman.
His portrayal of the doomed Doc Holliday in Tombstone was scene-stealing, with his famous line “I’m your huckleberry”.
Kilmer then took over from Michael Keaton to star as Batman in Batman Forever, which grossed $336 million globally.
He also impressed in films like Heat alongside Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
Kilmer’s battle with throat cancer, which began in 2014, significantly altered his life and career.
After undergoing a tracheotomy and radiation treatments, he lost the ability to speak naturally. “It isn’t easy to talk and be understood,” the actor wrote on his website in 2022.
His health journey was chronicled in the 2021 documentary Val, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
In the film, Kilmer needed a breathing tube, showing the physical toll of his condition.
He remained a practicing Christian Scientist, which initially complicated his approach to conventional treatment.
By 2017, however, Kilmer acknowledged he had undergone extensive medical care related to his cancer.
Despite his health challenges, Kilmer made a celebrated return to film in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his role as Iceman.
The scene was adapted to accommodate his condition, using brief dialogue and onscreen text.
In a 2021 statement, Kilmer discussed regaining his voice via artificial intelligence: “I’m grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who restored my voice in a way I never imagined possible.”
His brief scenes in the sequel generated “resonant pathos”, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Born in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve 1959, Kilmer was the youngest person at the time to be accepted into Juilliard’s drama division at age 17.
He was married to British actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 until their divorce in 1996. The couple met while working together on Willow and wed months later.
Kilmer is survived by their two children, Jack and Mercedes, both actors.
Tributes have poured in following the announcement of Kilmer’s death.
Actor Josh Brolin wrote on Instagram: “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you… You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those.”
Director Joel Schumacher once said, “For me, Val Kilmer was the best Batman.”