Val Kilmer’s Kids Pay Heartfelt Tribute to Top Gun Actor Following His Death at 65: ‘Honored to See His Legacy Celebrated'

Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of death

Val Kilmer’s kids paid a heartfelt tribute to the Top Gun actor days after he passed away at the age of 65 due to pneumonia. The movie star shared his two kids, daughter Mercedes and son Jack, with his ex-wife, Joanne Whalley. The sibling duo released a statement where they revealed they felt honored over how their father’s legacy has been celebrated. They also asked for time to grieve privately amid a huge loss. 

In their statement to People Magazine, Mercedes and Jack shared that they are “proud” of their father. Kilmer’s daughter had previously announced the unfortunate news of the Batman Forever actor passing away on Tuesday. She was also photographed being consoled by her mother later in the evening. 

Mercedes also shared the screen space with her father in the 2020 movie, Paydirt. In a throwback interview with Good Morning America, the actress spoke about how thrilled she was to play Kilmer’s onscreen daughter in the movie. 

She had said, "I'm so proud to have been in this film and to have worked on this film, like, not just because my dad is my actual dad but because I know you don't really lead with this but you do now have a disability with your voice, and it really meant a lot to me to be able to be involved in this film that centers a disabled actor, or an actor with a disability."

Meanwhile, both Jack and Kilmer’s elder ones are planning the actor’s funeral, according to the sources. 

TMZ had previously reported that the Tombstone actor was hospitalized at the beginning of the year. Prior to his death, Kilmer suffered from throat cancer for many years, leaving him with no voice after the surgery.

Tributes have been pouring in for Val Kilmer from the celebrities of the industry.

ALSO READ: Val Kilmer's Death: When Top Gun Star's Daughter Gushed About Sharing Screen With Her Dad Amid His Untimely Demise