Every person in every profession needs to take the good with the bad. That is simply the nature of the beast. While Val Kilmer’s career had slowed down in recent years due to some unfortunate circumstances, what cannot be denied is that he had genuine talent. A talent that not many could match. He was one of the few people who could juggle charm, wit, and unparalleled coolness like it was nothing. To celebrate the life of Val Kilmer, here are some of his most iconic roles.
Lt. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in Top Gun (1986)
This is arguably the role that pushed Val Kilmer as blockbuster material, and at a young age. Many people cite this one as their favorite childhood film. It was pure machismo mixed with honest comradery and that’s what made it awesome. Top Gun had everything you wanted in a military action flick and Val Kilmer managed to enrich it with his delivery as Iceman. He was cool. He knew it. Everyone knew it.
Madmartigan in Willow (1989)
Similarly to Top Gun, many people refer to Willow as their favorite childhood film. Val Kilmer’s portfolio consists of mostly grounded, action oriented films, and Willow is one of his few forays into the fantastical. While the plot had some room for improvement, the presentation was consistently good, effectively emulating the folk/fantasy tale motifs. Kilmer’s performance as Madmartigan was great, perfectly encapsulating the young yet hard boiled mercenary. And looking cool as heck in gold and black armor.
Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991)
While Iceman and Madmartigan helped push him as leading man material with his raw awesomeness, it is the role of Jim Morrison that segmented Kilmer. The movie managed to capture the essence of the The Doors’ glory days, with Val Kilmer practically transforming into Jim Morrison. Kilmer not only managed to perfectly mimic Morrison’s looks and mannerisms, but also his singing voice.
Chris Shiherlis in Heat (1995)
Heat embedded Michael Mann’s penchant for grittiness and immersion, employing techniques that made the audience forget they were watching a movie. This desire for realism was shared among the actors. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro spoke with detectives and criminals to really get a feel for their respective characters. This commitment was also present in Kilmer. Kilmer’s performance during the action scenes was praised by military personnel, as he displayed proper military technique. And outside the action scenes, he was on par with the crazy talent that the movie had. Giving it his all and achieving great results.
Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever (1995)
Like every movie, Batman Forever had some flaws. No movie is truly perfect. It departed from the grim yet whimsical vibe of the Burton movies and settled for something more flashy, more palatable. As a sequel to the Tim Burton movies, it didn’t quite jive, but as a homage to the 1960s camp era Batman, it hit the spot. There was definitely humor, there were definitely high production values, and a lot of memorable spectacle. Kilmer proved that he could do Batman justice, often being cited as the strongest part of the movie. He had the ability to play both an eccentric billionaire and the stoic caped crusader.
Moses in The Prince of Egypt (1998)
The Prince of Egypt is one of Val Kilmer’s scant few voice roles, and also one of his best performances. Everything about the movie has aged beautifully. To the detailed visuals, Hans Zimmer’s captivating score, the script, and the delivery done by some of Hollywood’s best darlings. Val Kilmer’s performance as the biblical Moses was simply amazing, delivering a wide range of emotions with such genuineness.
Danny Parker and Tom Van Allen in The Salton Sea (2002)
The Salton Sea released in 2002, when Val Kilmer was 43 years old and still favored by studios. His work there was a reminder to all that he was still perfect for gritty crime flicks. He managed to play the roles of Danny Parker and Tom Van Allen with fluidity as a speed freak, musician, and vengeful husband. He had a magnetism to him, not just thanks to the punk rock look he adopted, but also because of the intelligence and sorrow he carried.
Gay Perry in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005)
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is what happens when “comedy of errors” becomes the main theme of the plot. You have stuff that would be normally upsetting mixed with the ridiculous. And it worked. Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer were an incredible combo, with Kilmer having some of the most memorable quotes.
John Smith in Felon (2008)
Just because a movie is made mainly for DVD doesn’t mean it is bad. There are many movies focused on the DVD market that are great and this is one of them. Val Kilmer’s delivery as John Smith was done with a combination of coolness, authority, and smarts, truly managing to give off the feeling of someone who has spent half of their life behind bars.
Bluntman in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019)
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot is best appreciated if you’re well versed in popular culture. Or nerd culture. A lot of the humor in the movie is best appreciated if you’re a fan of the people involved and current trends, with Val Kilmer’s role as Reboot Bluntman encompassing that. While his screentime there was limited due to his health problems, he put a smile on many people’s faces and ultimately that is what matters if you’re an entertainer.
Himself in Val (2021)
Val Kilmer’s most significant movie is this one. This movie was therapy, not only for himself, but for those he held dearest. It detailed many aspects of his personal and professional life, including the permanent damage after his battle with throat cancer. It’s not an easy watch, but it is eye-opening, and the fact Kilmer managed to keep his spirits up after all he’d endured is inspirational. We won’t forget you, Val.
