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Val Kilmer said yes to major role without reading script - but hated filming
Kilmer's depiction of the cool and confident fighter pilot resonated with audiences and solidified his status as a leading man in Hollywood despite Tom Cruise taking the leading role
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As a baby-faced blonde, Val Kilmer was known for his brooding intensity and portrayal of tormented characters.
Rising to fame as the cool and competitive naval aviator Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in Tony Scott's 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, the 65-year-old captivated audiences with his commanding screen presence has now left a legacy few could boast.
Article continues belowDuring his career, his other standout roles included playing Bruce Wayne in "Batman Forever," channelling Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's "The Doors" and starring as a tubercular Doc Holliday in "Tombstone". His daughter Mercedes confirmed his passing on Tuesday, saying his cause of death was complications due to pneumonia.
As the news broke, Hollywood stars led tributes to the actor. Josh Brolin shared a throwback photo of the two grinning from ear-to-ear. "See ya, pal," The No Country For Old Men star captioned the photo. "I'm going to miss you." He praised Kilmer, who left a haunting final social media post less than two months before his death, as a "smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker," adding, "There's not a lot left of those. 'I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there,' Brolin added. "Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts."
James Woods said Kilmer's portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone as "what every actor dreams of achieving," adding that he had "so many wonderful performances". "Sad to lose him so soon. RIP Val Kilmer," he added. Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Kilmer in the 2011 horror film Twixt, shared an image of him with the actor on Instagram. In the caption, The Godfather director wrote: "Val Kilmer was the most talented actor when in his High School, and that talent only grew greater throughout his life. He was a wonderful person to work with and a joy to know - I will always remember him."
Born in Los Angeles in 1959, Kilmer - part Cherokee, Irish, German and Swedish - displayed an early affinity for the performing arts. His father was an aerospace engineer and real estate developer, and his mother was a housewife - they divorced when he was nine. He had one older brother and one younger brother.
Wesley, his younger sibling, suffered an epileptic seizure and drowned in a swimming pool at the family home that his father had bought from Western movie legends Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. At the time, Kilmer was about to leave to study acting at Juilliard in New York; he was 17 and the youngest to be admitted to the school's drama division.
"It was quite an emotional time for me, and in a way, the extremely high standards and the activity of the school I'm sure were good for me, because I was forced to really challenge myself about my very life, you know — what I believe about life and death," he recalled.
Kilmer honed his skills at the Juilliard School, setting the stage for a career spanning nearly four decades. His initial foray into cinema included roles in comedies like Top Secret! and Real Genius, where his comedic timing and on-screen presence quickly garnered attention. His ability to seamlessly transition between comedy and drama showcased a range rarely seen in Hollywood. Kilmer's portrayal of Lieutenant Kazansky catapulted him to international fame.
His depiction of the cool and confident fighter pilot resonated with audiences and solidified his status as a leading man in Hollywood despite Tom Cruise taking the leading role. The actor reportedly had initial reservations about taking the role, but his natural charisma and intensity made the character unforgettable.
In 1991, Kilmer undertook the challenging role of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's The Doors. His immersive performance, capturing the singer's enigmatic persona and musical prowess, was met with critical acclaim and showcased his dedication to embodying complex characters. Kilmer spent months studying Morrison's mannerisms, even singing the songs himself rather than relying on overdubs.
In 1995, Kilmer donned the iconic cape and cowl in Batman Forever, stepping into the role of the Dark Knight from Michael Keaton for Joel Schumacher's 1995 'Batman Forever'. "Everything was different about this job than I'd experienced before," the actor said in 1995. "The size of the character and how strange it was that Michael Keaton had decided not to do it. I just said yes, without reading the script."
While the film received mixed reviews, Kilmer's portrayal was noted for bringing a brooding intensity to the character. George Clooney replaced him for 1997's "Batman & Robin," a notorious flop that nearly killed the franchise. Despite his success, Kilmer later admitted that wearing the cumbersome Batsuit was an unpleasant experience, making it difficult to act effectively.
Throughout the 1990s, he continued to demonstrate his range with roles in films like Tombstone, Heat, and The Saint, each performance further cementing his reputation as a versatile and committed actor. His portrayal of Doc Holliday, a sickly alcoholic who was quick on the draw, in Tombstone remains one of his most celebrated roles. Lines like "I'm your huckleberry" became iconic in cinema history.
Despite his on-screen successes, Kilmer developed a reputation for being challenging to work with. Reports of on-set conflicts with directors and co-stars painted a picture of an actor deeply committed to his craft, sometimes to the detriment of professional relationships.
His intensity and perfectionism occasionally led to disputes, particularly with directors who struggled to rein in his creative input. Schumacher famously called him "childish and impossible," though Kilmer later defended himself, saying he was misunderstood. The actor implied he didn't return as Batman because of scheduling issues, though the director's description of him as "psychotic" could have also been a factor.
However, despite their differences, Schumacher once said: "For me, Val Kilmer was the best Batman." Meanwhile, stories from The Island of Dr Moreau, where he starred opposite Marlon Brando, became legendary for the chaotic production and clashes between the actors and the director.
Kilmer's personal life was equally as eventful. He married British actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 to 1996, and they had two children, Mercedes and Jack. His connection to Whalley linked him to the UK and highlighted a partnership that extended both on and off the screen. They met while filming Willow, and their chemistry was evident in the film and their private life.
But beyond his marriage, Kilmer was romantically linked to several high-profile figures, including Cher, Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie, and Daryl Hannah. Despite the relationships, Kilmer revealed in his 2020 memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry, that he had not had a girlfriend in 20 years, candidly admitting to feelings of loneliness.
In 2014, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer, a battle that led to chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and a tracheotomy, which significantly affected his speech and breathing. Despite these challenges, his resilience shone through. He continued to pursue his passion for acting, even reprising his role as Iceman in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, a testament to his enduring dedication to the craft.
When he reunited with Cruise in the film, his character, Kazansky, is seen speaking through a computer due to an unspecified illness. "I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I've known Val for decades," Cruise said during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. "For him to come back and play that character… he's such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again. You're looking at Iceman. I was crying. I got emotional."
His brief but poignant appearance in the film moved audiences worldwide, as his character's silent yet powerful interaction with Cruise's Maverick mirrored his real-life struggles. Kilmer also embraced new forms of artistic expression, turning to painting and writing as means of communication when speaking became difficult.
Article continues belowHis 2021 documentary, Val, provided a deeply personal insight into his life and career. It featured decades of home video footage and narration from his son, Jack. Kilmer was known for his deep spirituality and philosophical outlook on life.
He was a Christian Scientist and often spoke about the power of prayer and faith in his healing process. His beliefs played a significant role in how he approached both his struggles and his career decisions. He is survived by his children, Mercedes and Jack, who continue to honour his memory. Jack, in particular, has followed in his father's footsteps, pursuing a career in acting.
