Joanne Whalley and Val Kilmer starred together in a fantasy film, sparking a connection that led to their marriage. Although their union ended under unusual circumstances, their shared commitment to parenting kept them connected. Recently, she made a rare public appearance following Val’s passing.

Val Kilmer was linked to some of Hollywood’s most recognizable women throughout his career, but only one ever became his wife — English actress Joanne Whalley, whom he met unconventionally. Their brief marriage ended in a highly publicized divorce, and although Val dated other women afterward, he never remarried.

After the separation, they co-parented their two children, Mercedes and Jack. Joanne later stepped back from the spotlight, maintaining a quieter presence. Her recent appearance, however, brought her back into public view — not as an actress on screen, but as a mother standing beside her mourning child.

From a Dream to ‘I Do’ – How It All Began

Before they ever met, Val believed he had seen his destined woman in a dream. He said he woke up from it and wrote a poem titled “We’ve Just Met but Marry Me Please.” Shortly afterward, while in London, he attended a play where Joanne performed.

He was so captivated by her that he followed her to a nearby pub after the show, though he didn’t introduce himself. 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.

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

Their chemistry went 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.

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.

In October 1991, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Mercedes Kilmer. 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.

While Joanne took on more responsibilities at home, Val’s acting career grew. 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.

In an interview, he revealed 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 said. “I can’t be a responsible parent and only be there three or four months a year.” Despite those efforts, signs of strain had already begun to show.

Life After Divorce: Public Romances and Private Priorities

In 1995, just two months after Jack was born, Val learned that his marriage was ending while watching CNN in a hotel room. “It was no fun,” he later said. At the time, rumors surfaced about his behavior on set, including reports that Joanne had caught him kissing a half-dressed crew member in his “Batman Forever” trailer.

The couple’s separation quickly became one of the most talked-about Hollywood splits of the decade. Val said 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.

Val spoke openly about how difficult separation from his children was. “I miss my children every single way that’s possible, and ways I didn’t know were possible,” he said.

Soon after the divorce, Val’s name remained in the headlines. He was romantically linked to several well-known women, including model Cindy Crawford, producer Jayce Gossett, actress Daryl Hannah, and Angelina Jolie.

Eventually, Joanne returned to her acting career as their children got older. 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.

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.

Following in Their Footsteps, Mercedes and Jack Enter the Industry

Mercedes and Jack each pursued creative paths within 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.

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 cancer treatment.

“My dad’s able to very artfully circumvent the limitations of his speech,” she said, adding that the experience changed how she understood acting and communication.

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.

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.

A Long Illness and Family by His Side

In 2015, Val was diagnosed with throat cancer. 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.

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 recalled.

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.

Jack noted that they had daily routines to help soothe and manage Val’s vocal cords. “It’s hard, but that’s life,” he said. “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.

A Final Goodbye: Joanne and Mercedes Reunite in Public

Val died on April 1, 2025, at 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that he had passed away in Los Angeles following complications from pneumonia. His death came after more than a decade of health challenges, including his battle with throat cancer.

The following morning, on April 2, Joanne was photographed outside Mercedes’s home in West Hollywood. The two were seen 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.

It was the first time they had been seen publicly since Val’s passing. The moment was captured in a widely shared photo posted 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.