Val Kilmer

In the original “Maverick,” Navy pilot Iceman (Val Kilmer) faces off with rival Maverick (Tom Cruise). More than three decades later, Kilmer's appearance in “ ...

He understands the system; he understands responsibility in a much wider-ranging way than does his friend. We see a relationship informed by years of blanks we can fill in ourselves: Iceman maturing past his brash youth and becoming the leader he was born to be; Maverick stumbling along his own flashier, heroic and less establishment-oriented path. There’s almost a smile on his face; a smile of confirmation, of facing the worst. Chemotherapy and multiple tracheostomies have the actor with a struggling rasp for a voice, an ordeal he describes in his autobiography, “ I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir,” and in the Amazon documentary “ Val,” which contains stunning behind-the-scenes footage of much of his career, shot by the actor himself. Because of Kilmer’s condition, throat cancer was written into his character for “Top Gun: Maverick” — a movie in which he wasn’t always a lock to appear. The combination lays fertile ground for a great, often unheralded performer to shine, if only for a moment.

Top Gun: Maverick has officially dropped, marking the return of one of Hollywood's biggest stars. But we're not talking about Tom Cruise. Val Kilmer was on ...

She said appearing in the movie meant a lot to the actor as he’s very proud of the original. After landing the role of Iceman in 1986’s Top Gun, he was catapulted into superstardom. Originally a stage actor, the 62-year-old found fame after appearances in comedy films like Top Secret! and Real Genius in 1984 and 1985 respectively. His health problems are woven into the movie’s story which adds a heart-wrenching emotional layer to the film. The actor made the revelation in 2017 and underwent a tracheotomy that has completely changed his voice. Following a run of successful movies, which includes portraying the Dark Knight in 1995’s Batman Forever, Val Kilmer had to hit the brakes on his career after being diagnosed with throat cancer.

From a traumatic childhood to early fame, tragic health problems to an inspiring comeback, we're taking a look at Kilmer's life, career, and net worth.

Kilmer was active in the relief of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina disaster, making numerous trips to New Orleans in the wake of the devastation. One of the most touching bits of a revealing, brutally honest doc was in the final moments, where it was revealed Jack (who sounds uncannily like his father) narrated the film. Then, of course, there’s Top Gun: Maverick. In Kilmer’s 2020 autobiography, the actor admits to “begging” producers to include him in the mega-budgeted follow-up, and praises Cruise for playing a significant part in making it happen. In fall 2021, Kilmer was the subject, star and writer of Leo Scott and Ting Poo‘s acclaimed documentary Val, which premiered at Cannes 2021 and is now streaming on Prime Video. Born on New Year’s Eve 1959, Val Kilmer is a Los Angeles native, the son of Gladys Swanette and Eugene Dorris Kilmer. Val’s parents divorced when he was just 8 years old. Opening exclusively in theaters on Friday, Top Gun: Maverick is one of the most anticipated blockbusters of the year.

Who dies in Top Gun: Maverick? Let's consider whether any of the characters in the 2022 sequel met their end. Does Tom Cruise's Maverick die?

He and Maverick text throughout the film but Iceman finally appears in a scene when Maverick goes to visit him at his home. Iceman has essentially helped Maverick remain in the Navy despite some of his hot-headed and reckless impulses. However, they grew to respect one another and made amends at the end of the original.

Val Kilmer is back as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, and the character has been given a touch of the actor's real life.

In "Top Gun: Maverick," Val Kilmer's substantial return is a welcome surprise that becomes more emotional once we see the trials his character has faced since the original "Top Gun." In light of Kilmer's own journey, however, incorporating cancer into his character's evolution is a touching choice. The disease, the intense radiation and chemotherapy treatments, and a tracheostomy left Kilmer with a damaged ability to speak, a trait that was carried over into "Top Gun: Maverick." These days, Kilmer is open about his struggle with the disease and its aftermath. Meanwhile, "Iceman" has risen up the ranks to become a four-star Admiral, putting him in a position to pull Maverick into an unexpected position: the instructor of a new group of "Top Gun" recruits tasked with flying an impossible mission. What you might not know is that Kilmer's own life influenced an unexpected plot development for his character in "Top Gun: Maverick." In an interview with People Magazine conducted in 2021 for the release of the documentary "Val," the titular actor discussed a real-life health challenges and why sharing his story is more important to hi than ever. What many "Top Gun: Maverick" fans may not know is that Kilmer has long struggled with throat cancer. If you remember anything from the original "Top Gun," besides the adrenaline rush of high-speed aerial combat, it's probably sweat-glistened abs playing beach volleyball.

Val Kilmer has made a triumphant return in Top Gun: Maverick, but what are his best movies as seen by the movie fans on Ranker?

Beyond the physical, it's the mental and spiritual anguish Kilmer is able to convey that makes Morrison one of his all-time great roles. In a larger context, the film follows Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his kin when they move from Dodge City to Tombstone, Arizona, only to be rudely interrupted by a gang of violent outlaws. With stunning action sequences, immersive world-building, and a heartfelt resolution, it's refreshing to see Willow return to the collective consciousness in 2022. In many ways, it's great to see arguably Val Kilmer's finest screen performance rated by Ranker as his best movie to date. The sprawling L.A. crime story from writer/director Michael Mann matches wits between master thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) and Lt. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), two men on opposite sides of the law on an inevitable collision course with one another. Kilmer plays Col. John Henry Patterson, a talented engineer tasked with building a railway bridge in 1898 Africa, only to learn the local population is being systematically stalked and hunted by two territorial lions. In just his second feature film, Kilmer gave a playful and highly charismatic performance in Real Genius as Chris Knight, a prodigious brainiac with a predilection for partying, pranking, and other collegiate hijinks. Tying in nicely with the upcoming Willow TV series slated for release via Disney+ in November 2022, it's good to see Kilmer's starring role as Madmartigan receive some Ranker love. One of the most emotionally nostalgic parts of Top Gun: Maverick is seeing the return of Iceman, reprised by Val Kilmer following a throat cancer diagnosis in 2014. Directed with stylish verve by the late great Tony Scott, Top Gun tracks Pete Mitchell AKA Maverick (Cruise), a hotshot test pilot out to prove his superiority among a squad of alpha airmen. It also proves what a terrific actor Kilmer is given the proper material. Kilmer plays Gay Perry, a sophisticated L.A. private eye hired to train petty thief Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) how to become an actor before the two become embroiled in a twisty noirish murder mystery.