'Batman' Val Kilmer passes away at 65

Hollywood star Val Kilmer, who starred in multiple Hollywood superhits, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 65, news media outlets have reported. 

Kilmer's daughter Mercedes confirmed to news media that her father passed away in Los Angeles of pneumonia on April 1. 

She also said that although her father had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, he had recovered from the disease. 

Val Kilmer began his career on stage but later found stardom on the big screen, starring in a string of successful ventures, including his launch to stardom, Top Gun. 

He portrayed troubled rock star Jim Morrison in The Doors, earning critical acclaim. He then went on to star as Batman in Batman Forever, cementing his status as one of the biggest stars of the 1990s. 

Val Kilmer's throat cancer diagnosis in 2014 changed the trajectory of his acting career. Treatment and surgeries left his voice permanently damaged, effectively ending his career.

He made one final return to the big screen with 2022's blockbuster Top Gun Maverick, reprising his role of Iceman, leading to a fan favourite poignant scene with his old co-star Tom Cruise.