Val Kilmer's final years: The actor battled health issues and was bedridden before passing away

Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, known for his roles in 'Batman Forever and Top Gun,' spent his last years battling severe health problems, according to sources close to his family. The actor passed away at the age of 65, with his daughter confirming that pneumonia was the cause of his death.

Kilmer had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, and the treatments reportedly drained his strength over time. According to sources who spoke to TMZ, the cancer treatment had left him fragile and unable to leave his bed for several years before his passing. The sources mentioned that in the final moments of his life, Kilmer’s body could no longer fight, and he eventually succumbed to his condition. They also noted that his health had been deteriorating for a long time, making his passing expected rather than sudden.

Earlier this year, Kilmer had been hospitalized, and in the past week, he was admitted again to a medical facility in Los Angeles. Close friends and family members spent time with him during his last days.

A video of Kilmer wearing a Batman mask was posted on his Instagram in February. However, sources clarified that the footage had been recorded years earlier and did not reflect his appearance in his final months. His last public appearance was in 2019 when he attended the Thespians Go Hollywood Gala with his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, who is now 33. Kilmer’s children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer, 29, are currently making arrangements for his funeral.

Kilmer had openly discussed his health struggles in the past. In 2017, he publicly confirmed that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He later shared more about his battle with the disease in his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry.

In his book, Kilmer recounted a terrifying night when he woke up vomiting blood while staying at his former girlfriend Cher’s guest house. He described the experience as something out of The Godfather and recalled immediately praying, calling 911, and alerting Cher, who provided him with support during the ordeal.

Kilmer announced in 2021 that he was cancer-free, but he continued to deal with serious health complications in the years that followed. His passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned decades, leaving behind a legacy of iconic performances in Hollywood.