Val Kilmer turns 65: Five essential and diversified movies
One of the most talented actors of his generation, Val Kilmer came to prominence during the 1980’s in movies such as “Top Gun”, and solidified his career when he played the role of The Doors singer Jim Morrison in 1991
Val Kilmer turns 65: Five essential and diversified movies
One of the most talented actors of his generation, Val Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California. Originally a stage actor, during the 1980’s Val Kilmer started his successful movie career that brought him worldwide fame. His first roles were mainly in 80’s comedies such as “Top Secret!” (1984) and “Real Genius” (1985). His breakthrough role though, was a secondary one on the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun” alongside Tom Cruise as Tom “Iceman” Kazanski. In 1988 he got the lead role on the fantasy film “Willow” and shortly after, in 1991 he played the role of The Doors lead singer Jim Morrison in the Oliver Stone biopic “The Doors”. His performance in “The Doors” solidified Kilmer’s career as a lead actor in blockbusters during the 1990’s and also turned him into one of Hollywood’s sex symbols. Jim Morrison’s role is often regarded as his finest performance, and for it, Kilmer prepared himself vocally and physically, using method acting, even using his own vocals to sing The Doors songs in some parts of the movies. In 1995 he starred in the action blockbuster “Heat” and played the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in “Batman Forever”. Another notable appearance that decade was in the 1993 western “Tombstone” and the 1997 “The Saint”. In recent years Kilmer has returned to being a stage actor, also due to health reasons. In April 2017, after denying persistent rumors that he had been diagnosed with cancer, he stated publicly that he had a “healing of cancer.” It was also revealed that Kilmer had a “two-year battle with throat cancer … and a procedure on his trachea has reduced his voice to a rasp and rendered him short of breath. Despite that, Kilmer hasn’t stopped working and aside of acting, also dedicates a lot of his time to painting and sculpture. In recent years he released a documentary about is life, “Val,” featuring private footage from his personal archives, telling his story and how he came to play the roles he did in some of his most famous films. Due to the inability to naturally speak (he needs a device attached to his throat) his son narrated the documentary. He also recently reprised his role of Tom “Iceman” Kazanski for the Top Gun sequel “Top Gun: Maverick”. Turning 65, here’s five essential and diversified Val Kilmer movies to witness his acting talent.
5 – Top Secret!, 1984
4 – Heat, 1995
3 – Willow, 1988
2 – The Saint, 1997
1 – The Doors, 1991
Watch the trailer for “Val,” Kilmer’s documentary
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