The Most Interesting Roommate in the World

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I recently stumbled upon an intriguing article in One Great Story, the daily reading recommendation newsletter from New York. If you’re interested in getting similar recommendations straight to your inbox each evening, sign up here!

Back in 2010, I, along with co-writer John Solomon and director Jorma Taccone, brought one of the exceptional Saturday Night Live film adaptations to life: the action-packed spoof, MacGruber. Our recurring SNL sketch was a takeoff on MacGyver, maintaining the same structure where my character, MacGruber, had to defuse a bomb, only to be consistently sidetracked, culminating in the bomb’s inevitable explosion. The full-length movie added a bit more narrative depth, as MacGruber encountered and battled a main antagonist, the ruthless Dieter Von Cunth, portrayed by Val Kilmer. After the release of the film, I had the pleasure of becoming good friends with Val, and the following year, he lived with me for three months. Upon hearing the sad news about Val’s passing in April, I shared my heartfelt memories of my friend and former roommate, Val.

Inconceivable as it seemed, we never imagined that Val Kilmer would take on this role. For years, I’ve been an avid admirer of his, with Doc Holliday being one of my all-time favorite cinematic characters. So, the prospect of meeting him was electrifying. Somehow, we managed to persuade him for a reading session for MacGruber, which eventually led to the role he portrayed in the film. However, at that point, he hadn’t officially signed up yet; he was merely doing us a favor. When he finally decided to join the cast of MacGruber, it added another layer of anticipation. Initially, we were quite apprehensive around him – partly because we didn’t want to mess things up and make him reconsider his involvement in the movie.

In a heartbeat, he made me feel completely at ease. I recall stepping onto the set once, and there he was, donning a striking red plaid shirt. Instantly, I blurted out, “Wow, that’s my style! That’s totally my thing!” Without missing a beat, he took off the shirt and gifted it to me on the spot. There he was, bare-chested in the open, continuing our conversation as if nothing had happened. Spontaneously, he handed over his own shirt, leaving him exposed. He was an extraordinary individual, brimming with a myriad of facets. Hilarious one moment, cunning the next, he could switch from childish silliness to being a bit of a mischievous devil – yet always with a hint of sweetness. Life seems more vibrant when I’m in Val’s company.

After wrapping up our filming, we grew quite close during that time and found it enjoyable to maintain contact with him. Later on, he was in a predicament where he intended to sell his property in New Mexico. He had been residing in Malibu, but was experiencing issues with his landlord, leading him to seek alternative accommodations. He then asked if he could stay at our place for a brief period while searching for a new one. I can’t recall if he specified “a few days,” but it seemed like a short-term arrangement. So he arrived on a Monday, and later that day, his assistant came over with two large bags full of books, which made me think, This could be more than just a few days. It ultimately extended to two and a half months.

In a way, I’m somewhat like the character with OCD tendencies from “The Odd Couple.” Upon returning home from an evening out, my house would be dark, but my roommate would have his miniature miner’s headlamp on, illuminating his space. This was during the initial stages of his Mark Twain show creation, a unique period that I got to witness. At first, the show was lengthy and disjointed, but he bravely performed it in front of thousands. The successful parts were magnificent, and he continued refining it, eventually transforming it into an outstanding piece of theater that he took great pride in.

Previously, I enjoyed watching The Amazing Race, and one day when I was tuned in, he returned home and dismissed it as ‘garbage’, suggesting that it could deteriorate my mind. I defended its quality, encouraging him to give it a chance before criticizing it. Reluctantly, he agreed and started watching, soon becoming engrossed in the show. At some point, he expressed his desire for us to participate in The Amazing Race himself, which I eagerly accepted. Excited about this prospect, we reached out to our agents and managers, only to be told that it was not possible. To this day, I still feel that not competing in The Amazing Race with Val is one of the biggest missed opportunities of my career, despite the likelihood of an early exit, as the experience would have been unforgettable.

Apart from being a devoted enthusiast of “30 Rock,” a show I’ve had the pleasure of appearing on, he used to watch it frequently during his stays at my place. One day, when I was asked to contribute to a “30 Rock” DVD commentary, I jokingly suggested, “What if Val joined me for the commentary since he’s such a fan?” Unfortunately, he had other commitments that morning, but we eventually met up at the recording studio. To my surprise, he arrived dressed entirely as Mark Twain, which was unexpected. He explained, “I’m experimenting with this look.” Prior to our meeting, he had been wandering around the Third Street Promenade in full Mark Twin attire – facial prosthetics, wig, and mustache – and it was quite amusing. Every day brought such unexpected moments.

Initially, I frequently went for runs, and one day he asked, “Hey, are you heading out for a run?” To which I replied, “Sure.” He then suggested, “Perhaps I’ll join you.” I responded, “Okay, that sounds good. I’m almost ready.” He was dressed in a linen suit, and he remarked, “I can get ready soon as well.” Minutes passed, and he was still standing there in his linen suit. I mentioned, “I need to leave soon due to time constraints.” To which he replied, “I’m ready now.” “Aren’t you going to jog in that linen suit?!” I exclaimed. He replied casually, “Yes.” We went for a run, and he was wearing what seemed like a gentleman’s suit, possibly Top-Siders and a straw hat. He even stopped at a public restroom during the run, and I continued jogging a bit before waiting for him. The amusing part was, as I turned to look back, there he was, jogging back towards me in his linen suit. That’s him – always full of surprises, an incredibly unique individual.

One time, I found myself reminiscing as a devoted Doors enthusiast, seated casually at the kitchen table. I was engrossed in sorting out bills, while Val was lost in his own world. The air was filled with the melodies of my beloved band through his tiny speakers, and as “L.A. Woman” began to play, we both instinctively joined in the chorus. The tune progressed into “Roadhouse Blues” and then “Touch Me.” In that magical moment, it struck me, Wow, this is none other than my idol I’ve always admired. Now he’s just Val to me – a friend who shares the same passion as I do.

Previously, I found myself in the kitchen and he unexpectedly walked in, sporting his boxers atop his head. This eccentric actor, who occasionally affected an air of pomposity, was indeed a character — though there’s no denying that some genuine pompousness lurked beneath. At times, he would go to great lengths, feigning excessive pomposity and pretentiousness… all while wearing his boxers on his head. Lorne Michaels often shares the anecdote about a message or letter he had sent me before filming MacGruber, hinting at his plans to act me up. He always enjoys keeping you second-guessing. You never know what you’re in for with him.

Originally, he transformed the Mark Twain performance into a film, which is why he invited me to attend the premiere. In the movie, you could recognize his voice – the one with its distinctive smoothness, depth, and beauty. Afterward, he appeared for a Q&A session. Despite his health challenges, including cancer, his voice had changed, but the audience adored it. Remarkably, he delivered an energetic Q&A that many might not have the courage to do under similar circumstances.

In simpler terms, this actor was exceptionally skilled at both dramatic roles and comedy. His comedic performances in films like “Top Secret” were remarkable because he had a knack for delivering jokes naturally without overdoing them, showcasing his great sense of humor. It’s quite uncommon to find someone as handsome and charismatic as him who can pull off comedy so effortlessly. There’s something captivating about him that’s hard to put into words – it’s like watching a rainbow; you just get drawn in without knowing why.

I yearn for additional time to recall the past tales, as there are numerous memories I’m currently omitting. It’s likely we discussed working on other projects together, but nothing substantial came of it. He was often saying he had something new coming up with Francis Ford Coppola, or similar. Somehow, we managed to persuade him for the role in MacGruber, yet I wasn’t certain if I’d have another opportunity to collaborate with him. In the end, I made do by sharing living quarters with him instead.

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2025-04-04 18:54