Renowned Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, celebrated for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65 following a prolonged health struggle.

His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that he died from pneumonia in Los Angeles.

Kilmer, who shared Mercedes with his former wife, actress Joanne Whalley, had battled throat cancer since his diagnosis in 2014.

He underwent multiple treatments, including surgery and a tracheotomy, which significantly affected his ability to speak.

Despite these challenges, he was later declared cancer-free.

Throughout his treatment, Kilmer underwent radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and a tracheostomy, a procedure that created an opening in his neck to assist with breathing.

Unfortunately, this permanently damaged his vocal cords, altering his voice for the rest of his life.

Kilmer gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Iceman in the 1986 classic Top Gun and later stepped into the iconic role of Batman in Batman Forever (1995).

Despite his vocal impairments, he made a brief but notable return in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick.

His memorable performance as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's 1991 film The Doors further cemented his reputation as a versatile and charismatic actor.

Renowned director Michael Mann, who worked with Kilmer on Heat, expressed his sorrow over the actor's passing.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he remarked, "While working with Val on Heat, I always marveled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val's possessing and expressing character. After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news."

Kilmer is survived by his two children, 33-year-old Mercedes and 29-year-old Jack Kilmer. He was married to their mother, Joanne Whalley, from 1988 to 1996.

In his 2020 memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry, Kilmer revealed that he had remained single since 2000.

Over the years, he was romantically linked to some of Hollywood's most famous women, including Winona Ryder, Cindy Crawford, and Daryl Hannah.

He also claimed to have dated Angelina Jolie in 2004 while working together on Alexander.

One of his most notable relationships was with Cher, who supported him through his health struggles. Kilmer expressed deep appreciation for her generosity, particularly when she welcomed him into her Malibu guesthouse after his cancer diagnosis.

In his memoir, he wrote, "Once Cher works her way inside your head and heart, she never leaves. For her true friends, her steadfast love and loyalty never die."

In the 2021 Amazon Prime documentary Val, Kilmer candidly discussed his battle with throat cancer, revealing that he had to rely on an electric voice box to communicate.

"I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can't speak without plugging this hole [in my throat]," he shared.

The voice box, a battery-operated device that generates sound for speech, became an essential tool for Kilmer following his treatments.

Alongside his speech difficulties, he also had to be fed through a tube.