Val Kilmer, 'Top Gun' actor’s death certificate reveal cause of death

Val Kilmer, Top Gun and Batman Forever star, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 65, has had his cause of death officially confirmed — and it reflects the quiet health battles he’d been facing in recent years.

According to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, Kilmer died of pneumonia, with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and chronic respiratory failure also listed as contributing factors. 

His long-documented struggle with squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer that developed at the base of his tongue, was named as an underlying cause. 

Additional medical conditions, including malnutrition and a tracheocutaneous fistula — a complication that stemmed from his tracheostomy — were also noted on the certificate.

Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, had previously confirmed to The New York Times that her father had passed from pneumonia, bringing a somber clarity to his final moments. 

On April 7, his body was cremated, and his ashes were entrusted to his son, 29-year-old Jack Kilmer, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley. 

He also shared Mercedes with Whalley.

In the wake of Kilmer’s passing, heartfelt tributes have poured in from Hollywood and beyond, showing just how deeply he touched people throughout his career.

Among the most emotional tributes came from Tom Cruise, who honored his longtime friend and Top Gun co-star during a CinemaCon appearance in Las Vegas on April 3.

“I’d like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise said to the crowd. “I can’t tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honored I was when he joined Top Gun and came back later for Top Gun: Maverick.”

The Mission: Impossible star then led the audience in a poignant moment of silence.

“I think it would be really nice if we could have a moment together because he loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us,” Cruise said. “Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him.”

Even though Val Kilmer is no longer physically with us, the memories he helped create — both on-screen and off — are very much alive.