Los Angeles, April 2 (NationPress) Val Kilmer, the Hollywood icon known for portraying legendary characters such as Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever, Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's The Doors, and the ailing Doc Holliday in Tombstone, has passed away in Los Angeles.

His daughter Mercedes revealed that pneumonia was the cause, according to reports from Variety.

He was 65 years old and had been struggling with throat cancer for several years. Kilmer’s representatives did not respond to requests for comments immediately.

As noted by Variety, the baby-faced blonde actor had a notable career in the 1980s and 1990s as a leading man with a tumultuous reputation, featuring in hits like Top Gun, Real Genius, Willow, Heat, and The Saint.

He made a brief return to the screen in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, despite losing his ability to speak due to his illness.

The reason for his passing was disclosed by Mercedes to The New York Times.

In 2021, a documentary titled Val premiered, featuring his son providing the actor's voice and showcasing hundreds of hours of footage Kilmer recorded over the years, offering an introspective glimpse into his life and artistry.

Kilmer stepped into the role from Michael Keaton for Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever in 1995, earning mixed reviews for his interpretation of the Dark Knight. He was succeeded by George Clooney in the poorly received Batman & Robin, which nearly derailed the franchise. The New York Times noted of Batman Forever, "The prime costume is now worn by Val Kilmer, who makes a good Batman but not a better one than Michael Keaton."

After reportedly rejecting a role in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders, Kilmer gained prominence with a leading role in the 1984 spy comedy Top Secret, where he played a rock star and performed his own songs. Following his role as a clever college student in the 1985 sci-fi comedy Real Genius, he rose to stardom alongside Tom Cruise in the blockbuster Top Gun.