Val Kilmer's Final Note Left Fans Speechless
Val Kilmer at Cannes in 2005. Photo by Georges Biard under CC BY-SA 3.0.
On March 22, Val Kilmer shared an eerie image to social media — quiet, cryptic, and strangely final. Just days later, on April 1, the beloved actor died of pneumonia in Los Angeles at age 65. That final post? It's now being viewed in a chilling new light.
'It's Got That Late-Night Glow'
In his last public message, Kilmer posted an image of a glowing abstract campfire painting with the caption: "It's got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the campfire cools down but you're still wide awake," according to Men's Journal.
Fans flooded the comments with tributes after news of his death spread. "Rest in Peace, you amazing artist and human!" one wrote, per Men's Journal. Another added, "Rest in Peace, Val. Thank you for your art, your heart, your spirit, your boldness, your depth, your humanity."
The painting was one of many pieces Kilmer had recently created and sold through his website. In his final years, with his voice permanently lost to a tracheotomy, art became one of his main creative outlets.
A Star Who Never Played by the Rules
Kilmer had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, but kept it private for years. He later revealed the details in his memoir, "I'm Your Huckleberry," and the 2021 documentary, "Val," narrated by his son Jack. The actor underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and a tracheotomy that left him unable to speak except through a voice box.
Despite his illness, he made a moving return in "Top Gun: Maverick" — a role producer Jerry Bruckheimer said was non-negotiable for Tom Cruise. "Tom wouldn't make Maverick without him," Bruckheimer told PEOPLE. Kilmer saw Cruise as a friend — they even swapped holiday gifts — but he wasn't shy about poking fun at Cruise's famously intense approach to his career. When asked if he ever joked about the actor, Kilmer replied, "You can't make fun of Tom Cruise. Poor thing," according to PEOPLE.
Remembering Hollywood's Most Eccentric Rebel
Kilmer's rise in the '80s and '90s was meteoric. From "Top Gun" to "Batman Forever," he brought depth — and often defiance — to every role.
He was infamous for being difficult on set. "Batman" director Joel Schumacher called him "the most psychologically troubled human being I've ever worked with," according to PEOPLE. Yet friends and fans saw something different — a fiercely dedicated artist who refused to compromise. Cher, Kilmer's former partner, once described him as "really thrilling and funny" and always up for "crazy things," PEOPLE reported.
Kilmer also maintained close ties with his children, Jack and Mercedes, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley. In a statement to PEOPLE following his death, they said, "We are so proud of him and honored to see his legacy celebrated."
The Flame Still Flickers
At CinemaCon just two days after his death, Tom Cruise led a moment of silence. "I really can't tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being," he said, as reported by PEOPLE.
Towards the end, Kilmer seemed at peace with his eccentric legacy. "I was too serious," he told The Hollywood Reporter of his time in the spotlight. "I'd get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way. Meryl Streep must feel pretty good, you know? It must feel nice to know that everyone loves her. It's about being loved."
If love is the measure, he had plenty. Kilmer's final years were marked by creativity, resilience, and reflection. As fans revisit his work and his haunting last post, the impact of his singular life and art continues to resonate.
References: Val Kilmer Wrote Moving Last Instagram Post Before Death | Val Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer over a decade ago, but it wasn't his cause of death | How Val Kilmer Lived By His Own Set of Rules: 'He Was Always Eccentric' (Exclusive) | Val Kilmer Opens Up About Battling Cancer and His Kids' Showbiz Ambitions
