Val Kilmer, the actor known for his roles in movies like Batman Forever, Top Gun and The Doors died Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 65.
While tributes pour in for the screen legend, renewed attention has turned to Kilmer’s personal life, particularly his relationship with ex-wife Joanne Whalley and their two children, Mercedes and Jack.
The Context
Kilmer’s daughter confirmed that his death was caused by pneumonia. His death follows a battle with throat cancer and complications stemming from the disease. He was diagnosed in 2014, but Kilmer did not confirm he had cancer until a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
What Happened to Val Kilmer?
Val Kilmer died at his home in Los Angeles on April 1. According to The New York Times, his children, Mercedes and Jack, were with him in his final moments.
Kilmer underwent a tracheotomy that left him without the ability to speak naturally. In 2021, he released the documentary Val, which detailed his health struggles and provided a candid look at his life, with his children playing key roles in both its production and emotional narrative.
Despite his health struggles, Kilmer returned to film in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his 1986 role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. The film utilized artificial intelligence to restore Kilmer’s voice.
Who Is Val Kilmer’s Ex-Wife, Joanne Whalley?
Joanne Whalley, born in 1961 in Salford, England, began her acting career on British television in the 1970s.
She gained recognition after starring opposite Kilmer in Willow in 1988. The pair married that same year. Around that time, she moved to Los Angeles to continue pursuing film. She used “Joanne Whalley-Kilmer” as her screen name during this time.
Whalley and Kilmer had two children. Although their marriage ended in divorce in 1996, they remained linked through co-parenting.
Following the separation, Whalley continued her acting career, appearing in projects such as Scandal alongside John Hurt, The Borgias, and the 2013 television movie The Challenger Disaster. Despite her early fame, she has kept a relatively low public profile.
What We Know About Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley’s Kids
Kilmer and Whalley had two children: Mercedes, born in 1991, and Jack, born in 1995. Both have pursued careers in the entertainment industry.
Mercedes is an actress and model. She appeared in the 2021 documentary Val, where she talked through some of her father’s struggles. She also had acting roles in Paydirt and There Is No Gravity. She was reportedly very close to her father, especially in his later years.
Jack, meanwhile, has appeared in films like Palo Alto and Lords of Chaos. According to his IMDB page, Jack never intended to pursue acting until he was cast in Palo Alto in 2013 by Gia Coppola.
Kilmer’s family has not yet announced details of a public memorial. Tributes from across Hollywood continue to pour in.
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