Val Kilmer gave a nod to Batman in his final social media video prior to his death.
The beloved actor—who starred in films like Top Gun, Tombstone, Heat and The Doors—died on Tuesday at the age of 65 from pneumonia, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, told the Associated Press.
On February 23, Kilmer, who played Batman in 1995’s Batman Forever, posted what would be his last video. In the Instagram clip, which featured artist and musician David Choe, the California native showed off a piece of art honoring the superhero.
“I’m ready,” Kilmer told his 650,000 followers as he put on a Batman mask. “It’s been a while.”
The video was originally posted to Instagram by Choe in June 2021, and it’s unclear if Kilmer, Choe or neither created the painting.
At the time of publication, Kilmer’s post had over 36,900 likes and 1,500 comments. The original clip, meanwhile, boasted over 14,100 likes and 270 comments.
In addition to his acting skills, Kilmer was a talented artist.
“I’ve lived a magical life. For more than half a century, I have been honing my art, no matter the medium,” Kilmer wrote via his website. “Be it literature, movies, poetry, painting, music, or tracking exotic and beautiful wildlife in the most remote African bush, to capture ephemeral moments with a camera, I yearn to express my creative spirit.”
The Juilliard-trained star was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered, but chemotherapy and radiation damaged his voice.
“It isn’t easy to talk and be understood. I am improving all the time, but am not able to be out in the world the same way I had become accustomed,” Kilmer wrote on his website. “When one thing is taken, though, another is given.”
The Grammy nominee added that his “creative juices were boiling over and pouring out of me,” and he “started creating again, painting, writing anything I could. I felt the art healing me.”
Kilmer’s final message was shared on March 22 via Instagram and X, formerly Twitter. “It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you’re still wide awake,” he captioned it. “12” x 20″ plexi-glazed, signed, and ready to hang. ValKilmer.com.”
Following news of his death, tributes started pouring in from both fans and celebrities.
“RIP to a legend,” Instagram user @oursf49ers said.
“Rest in Peace, you amazing artist and human!” @that_mo_collins added.
“RIP A favorite in my favorite movie. Fly high,” @Midnights8675 shared on X.
The Goonies star Josh Brolin posted via Instagram: “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts. #valkilmer #marktwain.”
“RIP Val Kilmer,” actor Josh Gad wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of Kilmer from Top Gun. “Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon. #valkilmer”
“RIP Val Kilmer. If it wasn’t for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in FULL METAL JACKET,” Stranger Things actor Matthew Modine, shared on X.” Thanks, Val.”
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