Val Kilmer, Star of ‘Batman Forever,’ ‘Tombstone,’ Dies at 65

by

Actor Val Kilmer, known for his roles as Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever,” Jim Morrison in “The Doors” directed by Oliver Stone, and Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” has passed away at the age of 65. The New York Times reports this sad news. He had been dealing with throat cancer for quite some time.

Kilmer’s reps did not immediately respond to EbMaster‘s request for comment. 

In the ’80s and ’90s, a popular actor with a blond mane and youthful appearance had an impressive stint as a leading man, earning a reputation that was somewhat tumultuous. He graced our screens in films like “Top Gun,” “Real Genius,” “Willow,” “Heat,” and “The Saint.” Recently, he made a comeback in the 2021 release of “Top Gun: Maverick,” but unfortunately, due to his cancer diagnosis, he was no longer able to speak.

2021 saw the premiere of a documentary titled “Val,” which provided insights into his life. His son lent his voice for the actor’s role, while the film incorporated numerous hours of footage he had amassed over the years. This offered a behind-the-scenes glance at the sets he worked on and portrayed him as a profound thinker with a creative spirit.

In 1995, Val Kilmer stepped into the role previously held by Michael Keaton for Joel Schumacher’s film “Batman Forever.” His portrayal of the Dark Knight garnered mixed reactions. Subsequently, George Clooney took over for the 1997 release “Batman & Robin,” a movie that was critically panned and almost ended the franchise. The New York Times commented on “Batman Forever,” stating, “Val Kilmer wears the main costume well, but his Batman is not as effective as Michael Keaton’s.

Following rumors that he declined a part in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders,” Kilmer made his breakthrough with a leading role in the 1984 comedy-spy film “Top Secret!”, where he played a rock star and performed his own tunes. After portraying a clever college student in the 1986 sci-fi comedy “Real Genius,” Kilmer gained immense popularity, sharing the screen with Tom Cruise in the box office smash “Top Gun.” On the set of Ron Howard’s fantasy movie “Willow”, Kilmer met his future spouse, actress Joanne Whalley, and subsequently acted alongside her in “Kill Me Again” in 1989.

One unforgettable character he portrayed was the captivating yet tragic figure of Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 film “The Doors.” Prior to his audition, Kilmer memorized all the lyrics from Morrison’s songs and dedicated himself deeply to the part, even donning attire reminiscent of the singer for almost a year. Roger Ebert commended his portrayal of Jim Morrison, stating, “His performance is the finest aspect of the movie – and since nearly every scene revolves around Morrison, that’s no small compliment.

Following “Batman Forever,” Kilmer was convinced to join the problematic filming of “The Island of Dr. Moreau.” Here, he encountered challenges with both the movie’s lead actor, Marlon Brando, and director John Frankenheimer. Tensions escalated when Brando refused to appear on set, and a documentary titled “Val” portrayed a tumultuous environment where crew members made dark jokes about Brando’s stand-in named Norm.

According to reports, Frankenheimer, who completed work on the film as the second director, stated emphatically that he would never engage in two activities throughout his entire life: firstly, he would never attempt to climb Mount Everest; and secondly, he had no intention of collaborating with Val Kilmer again.

In the ’90s, Kilmer played key roles in several films such as “Thunderheart” and “The Real McCoy,” both directed by Michael Apted. He also had a brief yet impactful part as an Elvis-like mentor figure in Tony Scott’s “True Romance.” His portrayal of the witty Doc Holliday in “Tombstone” (1993) was widely appreciated, and he shared screen time with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in “Heat,” which was released in 1995.

Later, he appeared in the films “The Ghost and the Darkness” and the less memorable remake “The Saint.” Instead of reprising his role as Batman in “Batman & Robin,” he chose to work on other projects. Val Kilmer suggested that scheduling conflicts were the reason for his absence, but George C. Scott’s labeling him as “psychotic” might have also played a part.

From the mid-1990s onwards, the number of major film projects offered to him decreased due to his reputation for being challenging and confrontational. As a result, he was often seen in smaller, independent films or took on supporting roles, such as the critically panned “Alexander.

Originating from Los Angeles, Kilmer grew up in Chatsworth and attended both Hollywood Professional School and Julliard School. Prior to his debut on television, he performed off-Broadway in “The Slab Boys,” sharing the stage with Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon. His first TV appearance was in the afterschool special “One Too Many,” which also featured Michelle Pfeiffer.

He lent his voice to animated movies such as “The Prince of Egypt,” alongside other films like “At First Sight,” “Red Planet,” “Pollock,” “The Salton Sea,” “Wonderland” and “The Missing.” In subsequent years, Kilmer appeared in various films, including “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” starring Robert Downey Jr., “Déjà Vu” featuring Denzel Washington, “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” and “The Snowman.

As a devout Christian Scientist throughout his life, Kilmer resisted accepting his cancer diagnosis when it was made public by Michael Douglas in 2016. He merged his deep interest in Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, with his affection for Mark Twain in a screenplay that brought these two characters to life. For several years, he traveled across the country performing his one-man show “Citizen Twain,” which blended film and live readings of the renowned humorist’s works.

In the year 2012, Kilmer got nominated for a Grammy in the Best Spoken Word category due to an audio recording of “Zorro.” His memoir titled “I’m Your Huckleberry,” inspired by a quote from “Tombstone,” was published in 2020.

For an extended period, Kilmer resided on a New Mexican ranch, retaining ownership of the property even after he had sold off its majority. Additionally, he indulged in painting and assisted in managing drama programs for high school students, enabling them to stage productions of Twain’s and Shakespeare’s works.

He was divorced from Whalley in 1996 and is survived by a daughter, Mercedes and a son, Jack.

Read More

2025-04-02 07:17