{"id":25154,"date":"2025-04-04T16:02:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T16:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=25154"},"modified":"2025-04-04T16:02:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T16:02:44","slug":"what-does-val-kilmers-only-wife-and-mother-of-his-two-kids-look-like-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=25154","title":{"rendered":"What Does Val Kilmer’s Only Wife and Mother of His Two Kids Look Like \u2013 Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Joanne Whalley was cast opposite Val Kilmer in a fantasy film that would change their lives. Their marriage ended under unusual circumstances, but their connection endured through their children. Recently, she made a rare public appearance following Val’s passing.<\/p>\n

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During his Hollywood career, Val Kilmer was linked to some of the industry’s most recognizable women. But only one ever became his wife \u2014 Joanne Whalley, an English actress he met in an unconventional way. Their brief marriage ended in a highly publicized divorce, and although Val dated other women afterward, he never remarried.<\/p>\n

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\"Val<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley film “Kill Me Again” in a casino in Las Vegas on February 12, 1989 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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After the separation, they continued to co-parent their two children, Mercedes and Jack. Joanne stepped back from the spotlight in the years that followed, maintaining a quieter presence. Her recent appearance, however, brought her back into public view \u2014 not as an actress on screen, but as a mother standing beside her mourning child.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Joanne<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Joanne Whalley poses during a 1988 photo portrait session | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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From a Dream to ‘I Do’ \u2013 How It All Began<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Before they ever met, Val believed he had seen Joanne in a dream. He said he woke up from it and\u00a0wrote a poem<\/a>\u00a0titled “We’ve Just Met but Marry Me Please.” Shortly afterward, while in London, he attended a play where Joanne was performing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He was so captivated by her that he followed her to a nearby pub after the show, though he didn’t introduce himself. At the time, they were strangers. Two years later, in 1987, Val and Joanne were cast together in “Willow,” a fantasy film directed by Ron Howard and produced by George Lucas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Val<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley pose with George Lucas, Ron Howard, and Warwick Davis during a photocall for the movie “Willow” at the 41th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 1988 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The movie followed a young magician, played by Warwick Davis, who joins forces with a mercenary warrior, Madmartigan \u2014 played by Val \u2014 to protect a baby princess from an evil queen, portrayed by Jean Marsh. Joanne played Sorsha, the daughter of an evil queen, who ultimately falls in love with Val’s character after he’s slipped a love potion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The chemistry<\/a>\u00a0between them carried beyond the set, and their professional pairing soon developed into a romantic relationship. The following year, in 1988, they were married in a private ceremony in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the same year “Willow” was released.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Val<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley attend the “Hurlyburly” Opening Night Party on November 16, 1988 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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For their honeymoon, they traveled to Marlon Brando’s island in Tahiti. After the wedding, Joanne moved to Los Angeles and changed her name to Joanne Whalley-Kilmer as they settled into married life in the United States.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In October 1991, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named\u00a0Mercedes Kilmer<\/a>. Four years later, in June 1995, their son Jack Kilmer was born. During this period, Joanne stepped back from her career to focus on raising their children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Val<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley and daughter Mercedes Kilmer attend a preview performance of the Broadway play “Death and the Maiden” on February 20, 1992 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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While Joanne took on more responsibilities at home, Val’s acting career continued to grow. He took on prominent roles throughout the early 1990s, including Jim Morrison in “The Doors” and Batman in “Batman Forever.” Despite his growing fame, Val later said he tried to make his family a priority.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He revealed in an interview that he had turned down as many as ten major film offers to be more present for his marriage and children. “I just didn’t pay attention to business,” he\u00a0said<\/a>. “I can’t be a responsible parent and only be there three or four months a year.” But despite those efforts, signs of strain had already begun to show.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley attend the Liberty Hill Foundation’s Eighth Annual Upton Sinclair Awards on May 2, 1990 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Life After Divorce: Public Romances and Private Priorities<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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In 1995, just two months after Jack was born, Val learned that his marriage was ending as he was watching CNN in a hotel room. “It was no fun,” he later\u00a0said<\/a>. At the time, rumors had begun to surface about his behavior on set, including reports that Joanne had caught him kissing a half-dressed crew member in his “Batman Forever” trailer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Joanne Whalley, circa 1982 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The couple’s separation quickly became one of the most talked-about Hollywood splits of the decade. According to Val, their divorce was the second most expensive in New Mexico at the time. In 1996, Joanne was granted custody of both Mercedes and Jack and moved with them to Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley attend the Screening of the CBS Miniseries “Scarlett” on November 3, 1994 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Val spoke openly about how difficult the separation from his children was. “I miss my children every single way that’s possible, and ways I didn’t know were possible,” he\u00a0said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Soon after the divorce, Val’s name remained in the headlines. He\u00a0was romantically linked<\/a>\u00a0to several well-known women, including model Cindy Crawford, producer Jayce Gossett, actress Daryl Hannah, and Angelina Jolie.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Daryl Hannah and Val Kilmer during the “Wonderland” premiere on September 24, 2003 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Meanwhile, Joanne returned to\u00a0her career<\/a>\u00a0after stepping away to raise their children. She appeared in a range of British and American productions, including “The Virgin Queen,” “Wolf Hall,” and “The White Princess.” In 2022, she reprised her role as Sorsha in the sequel series to “Willow,” though Val was not part of the cast.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Joanne Whalley the Winter TCA Tour on January 14, 2016 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Their son Jack stepped in to voice a brief appearance of Val’s original character, Madmartigan. Though no longer married, Joanne and Val remained connected through their children. As Mercedes and Jack grew older, both began to follow in their parents’ footsteps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Following in Their Footsteps: Mercedes and Jack Enter the Industry<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Mercedes and Jack each\u00a0pursued creative paths<\/a>\u00a0within the same industry that shaped their parents’ lives. In her 20s, Mercedes became involved in New York’s avant-garde theater scene before making her feature film debut in “Paydirt” (2020), acting opposite her father.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Val recalled recommending her to the producer, who agreed to cast her after they met. Working with her father gave Mercedes new insight into performance, particularly as Val’s speech had been affected by medical treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Val Kilmer at the United Nations headquarters on July 20, 2019 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“My dad’s able to very artfully circumvent the limitations of his speech,” she\u00a0said<\/a>, adding that the experience changed how she understood acting and communication.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jack also took on acting roles, starting with Gia Coppola’s “Palo Alto.” He later appeared in “The Nice Guys,” “Pretenders,” “Josie,” and “Summer 03.” In addition to his acting credits, Jack narrated the 2021 Prime Video documentary “Val” and served as an associate producer on the film alongside Mercedes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mercedes Kilmer and Jack Kilmer attend the Premiere of Amazon Studios’ “VAL” at DGA Theater Complex on August 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Both siblings supported the project, which chronicled their father’s career and personal journey. Their involvement in the documentary coincided with Val’s long battle with illness, a period that would draw the family even closer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jack Kilmer and Mercedes Kilmer attend “Val” photocall during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 07, 2021 in Cannes, France | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Joanne Whalley in New York City at Regency Village Theatre on October 5, 2018 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A Long Illness and Family by His Side<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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In 2015, Val was diagnosed with\u00a0throat cancer<\/a>. He underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and two tracheotomies, which significantly affected his ability to speak. Despite the challenges, he continued working with support from his children, who remained actively involved during his treatment and recovery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Around the same time as Val’s diagnosis, Mercedes was seriously injured after being hit by a car. “We were in the same hospital at the same time,” she\u00a0recalled<\/a>. By 2021, Val announced that he was cancer-free. His speech remained impaired due to the procedures he had undergone, but he continued to engage with creative projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jack noted that they had daily routines to help soothe and manage Val’s vocal cords. “It’s hard, but that’s life,” he\u00a0said<\/a>. “We appreciate every day we get to see him and be around him.” The family stayed close through the years that followed until Val’s death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Joanne Whalley at Regency Village Theatre on November 29, 2022 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Warwick Davis and Joanne Whalley attend the studio showcase panel at Star Wars Celebration for “Willow” on May 26, 2022 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A Final Goodbye: Joanne and Mercedes Reunite in Public<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Val died on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that he had\u00a0passed away<\/a>\u00a0in Los Angeles following complications from pneumonia. His death came after more than a decade of health challenges, including his battle with throat cancer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mercedes Kilmer and Val Kilmer attending the 2019 annual Thespians Go Hollywood Gala in Los Angeles, California in November 2019. | Source: Getty Images.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The following morning, on April 2, Joanne was photographed outside Mercedes’s home in West Hollywood.\u00a0The two were seen<\/a> carrying bags and sharing a long hug near the curb. Joanne wore a burgundy cardigan and boots, while Mercedes wore a short black coat and colorful Ugg boots.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It was the first time they had been seen in public since Val’s passing. The moment was captured in a\u00a0widely shared photo<\/a>\u00a0posted to Instagram. The quiet image, taken just a day after Val’s death, offered a rare glimpse of a family that had lived much of its story away from cameras in recent years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Joanne Whalley was cast opposite Val Kilmer in a fantasy film that would change their lives. Their marriage ended under unusual circumstances, but their connection endured through their … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25155,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25154"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25156,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25154\/revisions\/25156"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}