Val Kilmer shared his last post to Instagram just days before his passing.
The 65-year-old actor died yesterday, April 1, having experienced a string of health issues over the past decade. Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes revealed to the New York Times that his cause of death was pneumonia.
Readers may remember that the Top Gun and Batman Forever star was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. As part of his treatment for the disease, Kilmer underwent chemotherapy and a tracheotomy that left him with permanent damage to his vocal cords.
The actor, who made his on-screen debut in 1984’s Top Secret, discussed his diagnosis and recovery in his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, as well as the Amazon Prime documentary Val.
“I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel,” Kilmer explained in the documentary. “I can’t speak without plugging this hole (in his throat). You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat.
“It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.”