Versatile actor Val Kilmer, who portrayed Batman in Batman Forever and Jim Morrison in The Doors, has passed away at 65. Kilmer’s family confirmed his death this past week and wanted to give their heartfelt thanks to all who showed their sympathy and support from all parts of the world friends, colleagues, and everyone in between.
Over a nearly four-decade-long career, Kilmer played memorable characters and captivated devoted fans and followers with his boldness, true artistry, and authenticity. Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California where he first developed a love of performing.
He perfected his craft at the famous Juilliard School, where Kilmer was at the time the youngest student to be admitted to the drama division. He quickly transitioned from film to stage to film again, and in 1984, he landed his first major film role in the comedy Top Secret! His time on-screen and his natural comedic timing helped Kilmer gain the attention of Hollywood producers, and he subsequently had bigger roles.
Kilmer had a number of highly critically acclaimed films from the 1980s into the 1990s. He became best known for portraying ‘Iceman’ in 1986’s Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise, in a role showing an intensity and competitiveness that would define much of his later work. But it was his role as rock iconoclast Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 biopic, The Doors, that solidified him as a true leading man.
Kilmer not only broke down Morrison’s gestures but also sang the singer’s lyrics with remarkable believability to the acclaim of his performance’s authenticity.
One of Kilmer’s most comfortable roles was resumed by him in 1995 Batman for Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever. The film was heralded for its visual sense, but Kilmer received good notice for infusing the Caped Crusader with dark intensity and complex sensitivity. Despite his success, Kilmer’s determination to render demanding performances in both big-budget and low-budget films stamped him as an actor committed to artistic integrity. Heat (1995) and The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) once again demonstrated his versatility, ranging from dark crime drama to action adventure.
Offstage, Kilmer was a committed father of two and an enthusiastic advocate for artistic expression. Later in life, he publicly talked about his disease openly, with a sense of humor and a wish to talk about it with fans. He also translated his life into other artistic mediums, exploring writing, painting, and theatrical projects. Those close to him had long observed that he was a person with an insatiable curiosity and great passion for the work.
This loving father, who started every day with imagination and humor, was the one his children shared during the release. They also thanked his fans for the “incommensurate kindness and compassion” offered to him through the years, especially during his fight against his illness. Fellow artists from within the entertainment world have now started commenting on their work with Kilmer, with praises of his work ethic, brilliant comic firecracker-like sense, and commitment to honoring the humanness of each character.
While Hollywood mourns the loss of a unique talent, movie buffs all over celebrate Kilmer’s enduring impact on the film world. His oeuvre, from the breakneck action to the soul-searching biographical drama, stands testament to an actor who went against the grain and remained committed to his own vision as an artist. While his demise will be greatly missed, Val Kilmer’s acting will assuredly remain a source of inspiration for the viewing public for many years to come.
