Val Kilmer revealed the one thing that helped him heal after losing his voice

Val Kilmer, the iconic actor best known for roles like Iceman in Top Gun, tragically passed away at 65 on April 1, 2025, after a battle with pneumonia. Kilmer’s career spanned decades, with unforgettable performances in Batman Forever, Tombstone, and Heat, earning him recognition as one of the highest-paid actors of the 1990s. His voice, a crucial part of his acting legacy, was permanently damaged after his tracheostomy surgery in 2015, following his throat cancer diagnosis in 2014.

Despite losing his voice, Kilmer remained creatively active. In 2021, he worked with AI company Sonantic to digitally recreate his voice using archived recordings. He also embraced painting and art, launching “Kamp Kilmer” to foster creativity and connection. In his last years, he found new forms of artistic expression, sharing his journey through painting and writing.d

Kilmer’s final acting role was in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), reprising his beloved Iceman character. His passing has sparked tributes from fellow actors like Josh Brolin and Josh Gad, who praised his creativity, bravery, and impact on their lives. Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, confirmed his cause of death was pneumonia.