23 hours Ago By Sara Baalla
Good Morning Britain was paused on Wednesday (April 2) as the hosts delivered an emotional homage to Val Kilmer after the devastating news of his death was announced. Val's daughter Mercedes broke the news to US outlets, confirming that the Top Gun and Batman icon had died from pneumonia on Tuesday evening. He was 65 years old.
Mercedes also shared that her father had battled throat cancer in 2014 but had since recovered. GMB presenters Susanna Reid and Ed Balls shared the sad news on this morning's programme, before turning to entertainment correspondent Richard, who looked back on Val's illustrious Hollywood career and extended condolences to his loved ones. "Richard Arnold is here now with more on the very sad death of Val Kilmer," Ed introduced, reports the Manchester Evening News .
Richard then remarked: "That's right, the daughter of Hollywood actor Val Kilmer has confirmed that he has died from pneumonia. He was just 65 years old. "Val, of course, was one of the stars of Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise back in 1986.
Tom hasn't commented yet following the news, but the pair reunited under Tom's request for 2022's long-awaited sequel. They reprised their iconic roles of Maverick and Iceman to great acclaim. "Val was one of a handful of actors to play Batman on screen, starring in 1989's Batman Forever.
Now, as we well know, he had his ups and downs in Hollywood , known for a few on-set spats. "He did say, though, in a 2003 interview however, 'I'm challenging, not demanding and I'm making no apologies for that.'" Richard went on to say: "He married British actress Joanne Whalley, with whom he had two children before splitting.
His most challenging roles came in 1991's The Doors, where he played doomed singer Jim Morrison." The ITV presenter then revealed that Val was so eager to secure the role that he sent the director an 8-minute video of himself emulating Morrison's singing and appearance. "He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery that significantly impacted his ability to speak.
he was later declared cancer free. Obviously our thoughts go out to his friends and family this morning," Richard added. Susanna chimed in: "That's what made it so remarkable when he came back in Top Gun: Maverick, because as you saw there, he had that issue with the tracheostomy and his inability to speak.
.. such a triumphant return.
" "Absolutely, and a real fan-favourite too, and such was his legacy within that franchise of films that he had to come back, which is why Tom Cruise insisted that he did. Val Kilmer, remembering him this morning, who passed away at the 65," Richard concluded. Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am.
