Val Kilmer, who starred in films including "Top Gun," "The Doors," and "Batman Forever" passed away at the age of 65, his family said to The New York Times.

According to his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, the cause of death was pneumonia.

The man Hollywood loved to hate

Born in Los Angeles on Dec. 31, 1959, Kilmer, at age 17, became the youngest student accepted into the drama division of the famed Juilliard School in New York.

He made his film debut in the spy spoof "Top Secret!" (1984), and found fame as Iceman in "Top Gun" (1986) before portraying Jim Morrison in "The Doors" (1991) and Batman in "Batman Forever" (1995).

His other films include "The Ghost and the Darkness" (1996), "The Saint" (1997), "Red Planet" (2000), "Alexander" (2004) and "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" (2005).

A major star in the '90s, his career was impacted by on-set clashes and box office disappointments. 

In 1996, Entertainment Weekly labeled him "The Man Hollywood Loves to Hate."

John Frankenheimer, who directed the actor in the 1996 flop "The Island of Dr.Moreau" once famously said that he would "never work with Val Kilmer again. There isn't enough money in the world."

Kilmer, well aware of his reputation, told the Orange County Register newspaper in 2003 — "I believe I'm challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that."

Coming back as 'Iceman'

In 2014, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, before making a recovery and continuing acting.

Coming almost a full circle, Kilmer's final role was a cameo in "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022).

Kilmer has also published two books of poetry and was nominated for a Grammy in 2012 for spoken word album for "The Mark of Zorro."

He married and divorced actor Joanne Whalley and is survived by their two children, Mercedes and Jack.

The 2021 documentary "Val" chronicling his meteoric and turbulent journey premiered at the Cannes film festival.

Towards the end of the documentary the talented actor said: "I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed… And I am blessed."

Edited by: Wesley Dockery