Val Kilmer: The Family Man Behind The Hollywood Persona

Deanna Runolfsdottir 17 May 2025

You might know Val Kilmer as the iconic actor who brought characters to life in films like Top Gun, Tombstone, and The Saint. But there was so much more to him than just the movies. Behind the scenes, Val was a devoted father who cherished his family. In his later years, especially as he battled throat cancer, he opened up about his life, his priorities, and what truly mattered to him.

Two Loves of His Life: Mercedes and Jack

Back in 1988, Val Kilmer tied the knot with the talented actress Joanne Whalley. Their love story produced two beautiful children—Mercedes and Jack. Though their marriage ended in 1996, their bond as parents only grew stronger. Val remained unmarried after his divorce, choosing instead to focus on his kids and his career. As he navigated the challenges of throat cancer, his relationship with his children became even more precious to him.

Looking back on his career, Val admitted, "I was too serious. I’d get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way. … I would like to have more Oscars than anybody. Meryl Streep must feel pretty good, you know? It must feel nice to know that everyone loves her. It's all about being loved." Yet, he also understood the complexities of fame. "Fame is sort of a mess," he confided. "You get treated differently, but it doesn’t have anything to do with who you actually are." Unfortunately, on April 1, 2025, Mercedes confirmed her father's passing at the age of 65 due to pneumonia, bringing an end to a remarkable life.

Mercedes Kilmer: Following in Her Father's Footsteps

In 1991, Mercedes came into the world, bringing immense joy to Val and Joanne. Just like her parents, she inherited a flair for the arts. Mercedes has made a name for herself in short films such as There Is No Gravity and Prettyface. Beyond acting, she’s also a musician who’s performed with a blues band across various venues. In 2020, she made her feature film debut in Paydirt, sharing the screen with her father, a moment that left a lasting impression on both of them.

Val spoke fondly about working with his daughter. "The producer called me up and asked if I would play this role, and I said, 'I don’t know if you’ve found anybody yet to play my daughter, but I might have someone for you. Her name is Mercedes Kilmer, and perhaps you’d be interested in meeting with her,'" he told People. Mercedes reflected on the experience, saying, "It’s obvious my dad’s speech was compromised, and this whole experience revealed the personal effort I had put into working with actors with a disability, which I hadn’t done before." She added, "My dad’s able to very artfully circumvent the limitations of his speech, so I learned so much watching him, how he communicated physically. It taught me so much about acting that expanded what I thought acting was, which was central to speech."