Born on New Year’s Eve in 1959, Kilmer grew up in the San Fernando Valley, where Hollywood’s influence was shrouded. His early life was marked by privilege and tragedy – his father Eugene was a real estate developer and his mother Gladys was a housewife. However, his younger brother Wesley drowned when he was young, a loss that has plagued Kilmer for years.
He is only 17 years old and becomes one of the youngest students ever. There, he co-wrote the beginning of it all, a life based on West German radicals that later staged in public theaters. His Broadway debut came in 1983 with the Tablet Boys, where he starred with Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon.
From the top secret! The highest gun
Kilmer’s film career is a top secret for spy cheating in 1984! Initially, he played an American rock star, catching up with the Cold War espionage. His comedy is obvious, but it was Top Gun (1986) who pushed his star. Just like Tom Cruise’s “Iceman” Kazansky, Tom Cruise’s maverick, Kilmer has made an indelible mark at Action Cinema.
Although he initially rejected the role, Top Gun’s success changed his career trajectory and solidified his position as a leader.
Perfectionists and provocateurs
Despite his star rise, Kilmer quickly gained reputation for his difficulty in working together. His perfectionism and intensity often lead to conflicts with directors and co-stars. “When some people criticize my request, I think it’s the cover of something they’re not doing well. I believe I’m challenging and I don’t apologize for it,” he told Orange County in 2003. His commitment to the character is unparalleled. For The Door (1991), he immersed himself in the role of Jim Morrison, so much so that the surviving band members also worked hard to distinguish Kilmer’s voice from Morrison’s recordings. Roger Ebert praised his creepy turn, writing: “Kilmer looks so much like Jim Morrison that we feel it’s not a casting situation, it’s a possession situation.”
Batman, Tombstone and Hollywood’s love-hate relationship
Kilmer’s star power peaked in the mid-1990s. In 1993, he performed well as Doc Holliday of the tombstones and tuberculosis, a role that demonstrates his impeccable comedy timing and dramatic depth. “He works harder than most actors to make it look convincing. He’s in great actors like Pacino or de Niro,” said George Cosmatos, director of the film.
Two years later, he put on his signature cape and Kaor (1995). The film was commercially successful, but his tenure as the Caped Crusader was short-lived. A clash with director Joel Schumacher and aspiring to take on a more fulfilling role led to Kilmer leaving the team. Schumacher later called him “the most psychologically distressed person I have ever worked with.”
The age and reshaping of the wilderness
With the advent of the 2000s, Kilmer’s career entered a more unpredictable stage. He plays roles in Salton Sea (2002), Wonderland (2003), and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), where he steals the scene as the sharp detective “Gay Perry.” Although these films have received widespread praise, his box office pull is weakening.
Kilmer is also fascinated by Mark Twain. He wrote a single-player drama, Citizen Twain, which later portrayed Twain in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (2014). His interest in the character expanded to a planned film project, exploring Twain’s relationship with Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, who is faith in Kilmer himself.
The struggle against illness and victory
In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer. The disease and its treatment caused his voice to be damaged, requiring him to use a breathing tube. Despite this, he was determined to continue performing. His resilience is captured in the 2021 documentary Val, which provides an intimate view of his life and struggles.
When Top Gun: Maverick (2022) announced, fans hoped he would be back. The role of Kilmer on the ice, despite his health challenges, still shows poignant and emotional performance.
Kilmer’s life is an ambivalent study – an actor who may be both food and magnetic, sometimes estranged colleague, but his dedication to his craft is undeniable. From Morrison to Batman to Doc Holliday, his performances will continue to attract generations.
His two children, Mercedes and Jack, shared with his ex-wife, British actress Joanne Whalley.
Kilmer once reflected in his career, saying, “Once you are a star, you are always a star. What level is that?” His star is unpredictable, but shining.
