Actor lost his voice after undergoing a tracheostomy in 2014
Val Kilmer passed away on Tuesday, April 1st, at the age of 65, after years of treatment for various health issues. The actor’s death was confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer.
In his last appearance in cinema, Val Kilmer moved fans and Tom Cruise by portraying Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick, the 2022 sequel to the saga, where he reprised the role of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s rival, originally played in 1986.
Images of Val Kilmer in Top Gun: Maverick went viral again on social media following the news of his death.
As Kilmer’s vocal cords were damaged due to a tracheostomy performed in 2014 after throat cancer surgery, artificial intelligence technology was used to regenerate Iceman’s voice for the 2022 film.
British AI company Sonantic used hours of previous recordings, from his films and interviews, to create a digital replica of the actor’s voice.
I still remember hearing people in the theater cry during this moment between Val Kilmer & Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick. I’m so incredibly thankful Cruise insisted on this scene because this moment is forever. RIP, Iceman. pic.twitter.com/qxoiEhz8wS
— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) April 2, 2025
Kilmer was deeply moved when he heard his AI-recreated voice for the first time.
“I’m grateful to the entire Sonantic team who masterfully restored my voice in a way I never imagined possible,” he said at the time.
“As human beings, the ability to communicate is the essence of our existence, and the effects of throat cancer made it difficult for others to understand me,” he continued.
“The opportunity to tell my story, with a voice that sounds authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift,” he concluded.
Source and images: LadBible / X @CinemaTweets1. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
