He once donned a hero’s cape and took on the role of a rock legend. Now, after years away from the spotlight, the actor whose performances inspired generations has died.

Val Kilmer, a dynamic actor famed for his portrayals as Jim Morrison and Batman, has died. Kilmer, 65, died on Tuesday, April 1, in Los Angeles.

According to his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, pneumonia was the reason for his death. She mentioned that in 2014, doctors detected throat cancer in Kilmer, but he has since recovered.

Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles. He grew up in the Chatsworth area, situated in the city’s extreme northwest corner.

Kilmer grew to prominence in the 1990s, becoming a leading man with a repertoire that went beyond blockbuster parts. Among his most memorable performances was as the caped crusader in “Batman Forever” (1995).

He engages in combat with antagonists Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and the Riddler (Jim Carrey) in the film. Despite the picture’s financial success, neither Kilmer’s performance nor the film itself received widespread recognition as a high point in the Batman franchise.