Inside Val Kilmer’s $33M Santa Fe Ranch | The Place He Gave Up Before His Passing | House Tour

Hollywood has lost one of its most iconic stars. Val Kilmer, beloved for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and Tombstone, has passed away at the age of 65 on April 1st, 2025 due to complications from pneumonia. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed the heartbreaking news. While he spent his final days in Los Angeles surrounded by family and close friends, Val's heart always belonged to the breathtaking landscapes of New Mexico. The legendary actor had a deep connection to the land, and for decades, he called a sprawling ranch near Santa Fe his home. From rugged riverfronts to sweeping desert views, this property was a reflection of Val's adventurous spirit and love for the American Southwest. Val Kilmer, the enigmatic and multifaceted actor known for his roles as Iceman in Top Gun, Batman in Batman Forever and Jim Morrison in The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65. I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself I never knew existed, and I am blessed. He reflected this in Val, the 2021 documentary about his life. Val had deep ties to New Mexico, where he owned a sprawling ranch northeast of Santa Fe until 2011. A familiar face in the area, he frequently attended charity events and was an ardent supporter of the Santa Fe Film Festival, serving as its honorary chairman in 2010. However, his time in San Miguel County was not without controversy. In 2010, when seeking a zoning change for his Picos River Ranch, he faced pushback from neighbors over past remarks, including a reference to the county as the homicidal capital of the Southwest. He later publicly apologized before the county commission and then sold the ranch the following year for $18.5 million. A Juilliard-trained actor, Val was the youngest student ever accepted to the prestigious institution at the time. His breakout roles in the 1984 spy spoof Top Secret and 1985's Real Genius showed his comedic talent, which he later revisited in MacGruber and Kiss Bang Bang. Beyond his many roles in acting, Kilmer was also a published poet, a Grammy-nominated spoken word artist, a visual artist, and a devoted Christian scientist. His personal life was equally storied. He dated Cher and was married to actor Joanne Wally, with whom he shared two children, Mercedes and Jack. I have no regrets, Kilmer said in 2021. I've witnessed and experienced miracles. Val Kilmer's love affair with the Southwest, though, well, that began in his childhood, when his family took camping trips from California to Arizona and New Mexico. As an adult and a rising Hollywood star, he made his connection to the region permanent by putting down roots in Santa Fe in 1991. Val Kilmer's dream home was a stunning 5,328-acre ranch located approximately 30 miles east of Santa Fe, nestled along the Picos River. The estate featured six miles of river frontage, a 640-acre grazing lease, and a luxurious seven-bedroom, eight-and-a-half-bathroom main house. In addition to serving as his personal retreat, Kilmer transformed the ranch into a bed and breakfast with rental cabins, allowing visitors to experience the same serene beauty he cherished. The Southwestern-style property was a place of peace and creativity for the tombstone star, where he found solace away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. In 2009, Kilmer initially listed the entire ranch for $33 million, but eventually reduced the asking price to $18.5 million. By 2011, he sold the majority of the land to a Texas oil executive and his wife, retaining just 14 acres for himself, even after downsizing. He remained deeply connected to the property, often spending time there to write, paint, and embrace the solitude of the New Mexico wilderness. In addition to his sprawling ranch, Kilmer owned another property in Tesuque, Santa Fe, an area that was once also home to Hollywood legend Gene Hackman. Fallon, his then-wife Joanne, purchased the home in 1990. However, the original structure was far from the idyllic retreat they envisioned. Kilmer described it as a 70s condominium-looking wreck with glass walls in a 1998 interview with Architectural Digest. At the time of purchase, the house lacked a dining room, and what would later become the living room had been a greenhouse, with a tin roof, plastic skylights, and uneven floors. But rather than demolish the structure, Kilmer took on the challenge of designing the renovation himself. Over time, he expanded the adding a new dining room, a master suite with connecting decks, a tennis court, a stable, and even an outdoor compound for a family of buffalo. One of the most striking areas of the home was the entrance hall, where a Navajo rug and Pueblo hand drums were placed. The new dining room was also a dramatic space boasting an antique antler chandelier for a rustic touch. In the living room, Val curated a collection of art and artifacts from New Guinea placed throughout the space to complement what he considered the crown jewel of his home, his Kiva-style fireplace. Perhaps the most impressive space in the house was the library where Val extended the fireplace to make the room deeper. The space was decorated with a Moroccan star-shaped table, oil paintings, and a collection of African stone tools. His master suite was a completely new addition during the renovations. It featured a cove ceiling with exposed wooden beams and was furnished with antique lace-covered bedding and pillows, adding a romantic old-world charm. Following his divorce from Joanne, Val kicked off a second redesign. He enlisted the help of Natalie Kent, a former French Vogue editor, to curate a blend of southwestern and international influences, incorporating Moroccan lamps, New Guinea artifacts, and Mexican church candles. Kilmer eventually sold the Santa Fe home in 2003. While the final sale price wasn't disclosed, it was reported the last asking price was just under $2 million. Despite selling most of his New Mexico properties, Val Kilmer's love for the region remained evident throughout his life. His deep appreciation for the land, culture, and architecture shaped his identity beyond his Hollywood persona. As fans remember Val Kilmer for his unforgettable performances, his New Mexico homes also remind us of the man behind the character—a visionary, a storyteller, and a true lover of the Southwest. Rest in peace, Val. What a great actor. I personally was a huge fan. Send condolences for the Kilmer family, and we will see you in another video. 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