Val Kilmer's true cause of death confirmed as heartbreaking new details emerge (2025)

Val Kilmer died aged 65 on April 1 after battling pneumonia (Image: Getty)

Val Kilmer's death certificate has revealed new details about his tragic cause of death at the age of 65 on April 1. The Top Gun and Batman legend died from pneumonia, which was revealed in his death certificate, as seen by TMZ. The death certificate also revealed underlying causes of death were "acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, chronic respiratory failure, and squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue."

Squamous cell carcinoma is also known as laryngeal cancer and develops in the lining the throat, including the larynx and pharynx. Kilmer confirmed his throat cancer diagnosis 11 years, as he was forced to undergo tracheotomies to treat the disease. He lost his ability to speak, but left Top Gun fans in tears as he reprised his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, with his voice being restored digitally.

Val's cause of death has been confirmed in his death certificate (Image: Getty)

Kilmer addressed his voice loss in his Amazon Prime documentary Val, as he had been forced to use an electric voice box in an artificial hole in his throat.

His son provided the voiceover for the documentary, which highlighted the side-effects of his cancer battle as he fought to recover.

He said: "I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can't speak without plugging this hole [in his throat].

"You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It's an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me."

Despite the side-effects, the operations were a success, as he had announced he had been free of cancer for four years in 2020, but the certificate has confirmed it had returned.

The death certificate also revealed Kilmer had signs of malnutrition, and a 'tracheocutaneous fistula', which is an abnormal communication between the trachea and the skin, and often occurs after a tracheostomy tube is removed.

Kilmer's children paid teibute to their dad in a statement to People last week, saying: "We are so proud of him and honored to see his legacy celebrated,' the actor's two kids, who Val shared with ex Joanne Whalley, said. 'At this time, we would like to grieve privately."

His body has now been cremated as tributes for the actor poured in from around the world, with many of Kilmer's fans and colleagues shared their devastation at thw news.