Val Kilmer, Batman Forever and Top Gun Star, Dead at 65
Raised in Los Angeles, Kilmer embarked on his acting career while still a high school student. At just 17 years old, he was accepted into Juilliard’s Drama Division, making him the youngest student at the time. Although he initially found success on stage, a pivotal role in the 1984 action comedy “Top Secret!” marked the beginning of his film and television appearances, which included roles in “Tombstone” and “The Island of Dr. Moreau”. In a 2021 interview with Vulture, Kilmer mused that acting is intertwined with his spiritual journey, stating, “Creating a character is part of the broader spiritual process.” He also admitted to sometimes being perceived as challenging to work with due to his intense approach to his craft, acknowledging, “I’ve always taken my work very seriously, and I realize that can sometimes come across as difficult.