After the news of Val Kilmer’s death hit, everyone who knew and loved the actor began mourning. Despite how much he was loved by those in the entertainment industry and fans, no one feels his loss more than his family.
Mercedes Kilmer, his 33-year-old daughter, was the one who first broke the devastating news, telling The New York Times that her father had died of pneumonia on April 1. Fortunately, she has family who loved Kilmer to lean on during her grief.
His Ex-Wife and Daughter Spotted in a Tight Embrace
On Tuesday, Mercedes was spotted outside her home in West Hollywood, wrapped up in a hug with her mother, Joanne Whalley. Holding an assortment of bags and jacket, It was the first time the two had been seen since the world learned of his heartbreaking death.
Whalley and Kilmer married in 1988 after meeting on the set of Willow. They married within a year and had Mercedes and a son, Jack, before splitting in 1985. Kilmer had previously referred to their divorce as a very difficult time of his life. Still, her small presence in the documentary Val suggests that they were eventually able to have an amicable relationship.
Despite their divorce, Kilmer always ensured he was a strong presence in his children’s lives. He previously told Vanity Fair that he turned down many great directors because he didn’t want to be absent from his family. “I canât be a responsible parent and only be there three or four months a year,” he said.
Kilmer Acted Alongside His Daughter in ‘Paydirt’
When Kilmer was offered the lead in the 2020 film Paydirt, he used it as an opportunity to act alongside his daughter in her first feature film. âThe producer called me up and asked me if I would play this role and I said, âI donât know if youâve found anybody yet to play my daughter, but I might have someone for you. Her name is Mercedes Kilmer and perhaps youâd be interested in meeting with her,’â Kilmer told People at the time. âMercedes and the producer met and they all had a ball.â
Mercedes was impressed that her dad was hired as the lead, despite his altered voice from the tracheotomy. “Itâs pretty historic to have a lead with a speech disability,” Val’s daughter told People. “I hope that it heralds more doors opening like that in the future.”
While Kilmer never had the chance to act with his son, Jack honored him in another way. In 2022, the series Willow premiered, with Warwick Davis and Joanne Whalley returning as their film characters. Jack Kilmer voiced Madmartigan, his father’s role from the film. Kilmer wanted to return, but COVID-19 restrictions prevented it.
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