Val Kilmer is a renowned American actor who transitioned from stage acting to film, gaining recognition through comedic roles in movies like "Top Secret!" and "Real Genius." His fame solidified with appearances in the action film "Top Gun" and the fantasy film "Willow." Kilmer's portrayal of Jim Morrison in "The Doors" garnered critical acclaim. He further established his career with notable roles in films such as "Tombstone," "True Romance," and "Heat." Kilmer's portrayal of Batman in "Batman Forever" cemented his status as a prominent actor. His diverse filmography includes "The Ghost and the Darkness," "The Saint," "The Prince of Egypt," and more recently, "Alexander," "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," "The Snowman," and a reprisal of his iconic role as Iceman in "Top Gun: Maverick." His career spans various genres, showcasing his versatility and talent.
December 31, 1959: Birth of Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California.
1968: Parents' Divorce
Kilmer's parents divorced in 1968 when he was 8 years old.
1970: Mother's Remarriage
Kilmer's mother remarried to William Bernard Leach in 1970.
1977: Brother's Death
Kilmer's younger brother, Wesley, drowned in 1977.
1983: Early Career Steps
Kilmer appeared off-Broadway in "The Slab Boys", had a role in "ABC Afterschool Special", and self-published a poetry collection in 1983.
1984: Film Debut
Val Kilmer made his film debut in the comedy "Top Secret!" in 1984.
1985: Real Genius Release
Kilmer starred in the comedy "Real Genius" in 1985.
1985: Real Genius Release
Kilmer starred in the comedy film "Real Genius" in 1985.
1986: Top Gun Release
Kilmer gained fame for his role as "Iceman" in the action film "Top Gun" in 1986.
March 1988: Marriage to Joanne Whalley
Kilmer married Joanne Whalley in March 1988.
1988: Willow and Hamlet
Kilmer starred in "Willow" and played Hamlet at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival in 1988.
1988: Willow and Marriage
Kilmer starred in the fantasy film "Willow" in 1988 and met his future wife, Joanne Whalley, on set.
1989: Kill Me Again and Billy the Kid
Kilmer starred in "Kill Me Again" and played Billy the Kid in a TNT production in 1989.
1991: The Doors Release
Kilmer received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's "The Doors" in 1991.
1991: Birth of Mercedes Kilmer
Kilmer's daughter, Mercedes, was born in 1991.
1992: Batman Returns
Michael Keaton played Batman in "Batman Returns" in 1992.
1992: Critical Acclaim
Roger Ebert praised Val Kilmer's acting in 1992, suggesting he deserved more recognition.
December 1993: Considered for Batman
Joel Schumacher was impressed by Kilmer's performance in "Tombstone" and considered him for Batman in December 1993.
1993: Tombstone and True Romance
Kilmer starred in the western "Tombstone" and the crime drama "True Romance" in 1993.
1993: Tombstone and True Romance
Kilmer played Doc Holliday in "Tombstone" and appeared in "True Romance" in 1993.
July 1994: Cast as Batman
Kilmer was officially cast as Batman in July 1994 after Michael Keaton dropped out.
June 1995: Batman Forever Release
"Batman Forever," starring Val Kilmer as Batman, was released in June 1995, receiving mixed reviews.
1995: Batman Forever and Heat
Kilmer played Batman in "Batman Forever" and starred in the crime drama "Heat" in 1995.
1995: Birth of Jack Kilmer
Kilmer's son, Jack, was born in 1995.
February 1996: Divorce from Joanne Whalley
Kilmer divorced Joanne Whalley in February 1996.
February 1996: Exits Batman Franchise
Kilmer decided not to return for another Batman film in February 1996 due to scheduling conflicts and creative differences.
1996: The Ghost and the Darkness
Kilmer starred in the thriller "The Ghost and the Darkness" in 1996.
1996: Dead Girl, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and The Ghost and the Darkness
Kilmer appeared in "Dead Girl," "The Island of Dr. Moreau," and "The Ghost and the Darkness" in 1996.
1997: Batman & Robin Release
George Clooney replaced Kilmer as Batman in "Batman & Robin," released in 1997.
1997: The Saint Release
Kilmer starred in "The Saint" in 1997, playing Simon Templar, and wrote poetry for the film.
1997: The Saint
Kilmer starred in the action film "The Saint" in 1997.
1998: The Prince of Egypt
Kilmer voiced Moses in the animated film "The Prince of Egypt" in 1998.
1998: The Prince of Egypt Release
Kilmer voiced Moses in the animated film "The Prince of Egypt" in 1998.
1999: Joe the King and At First Sight
Kilmer starred in "Joe the King" and "At First Sight" in 1999.
2000: Red Planet and Pollock Release
In 2000, Val Kilmer starred in the Warner Bros. film "Red Planet" and had a supporting role in "Pollock." He also hosted Saturday Night Live.
2002: Start of Citizen Twain Project
Kilmer began working on a film about Mary Baker Eddy and Mark Twain in 2002, which later evolved into "Citizen Twain."
2002: The Salton Sea and Hard Cash Release
Val Kilmer starred in the thriller "The Salton Sea" and the low-budget film "Hard Cash" (also known as "Run for the Money") with Christian Slater in 2002.
2003: Wonderland and The Missing Release
In 2003, Val Kilmer starred in "Wonderland" as porn star John Holmes and appeared in "The Missing," directed by Ron Howard.
2004: Alexander Release
Kilmer appeared in the historical drama "Alexander" in 2004.
2004: The Ten Commandments: The Musical and Entourage Appearance
Val Kilmer played Moses in the Los Angeles musical production of "The Ten Commandments: The Musical" and appeared in an episode of "Entourage" in 2004.
September 2005: The Postman Always Rings Twice and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
In September 2005, Kilmer performed in "The Postman Always Rings Twice" in London and co-starred in the film "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang."
2005: Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief
In 2005, Val Kilmer traveled to New Orleans to assist with the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts.
2005: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Release
Kilmer starred in the neo-noir black comedy "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" in 2005.
2005: Mindhunters and Alexander Release
Val Kilmer starred in the thriller "Mindhunters" (filmed in 2003) and the Oliver Stone film "Alexander" in 2005.
2006: Déjà Vu Release and Song Tribute
In 2006, Kilmer appeared in "Déjà Vu" and was the subject of the song "Val Kilmer" by Bowling for Soup.
2007: Sessions with Mick Release
Val Kilmer released a music CD titled "Sessions with Mick" in 2007.
2007: Numb3rs Appearance and Album Release
Kilmer guest-starred on "Numb3rs" and released a CD for charity in 2007.
2008: Felon Release and Knight Rider Role
In 2008, Kilmer starred in "Felon" and voiced KITT in the "Knight Rider" pilot and series.
2009: Bad Lieutenant, Streets of Blood, and XIII
In 2009, Kilmer starred in "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans," "Streets of Blood," and the TV series "XIII."
May 5, 2010: William Woods University Commencement and Citizen Twain
On May 5, 2010, Kilmer spoke at William Woods University's commencement, performed "Citizen Twain," and received an honorary doctorate.
November 2010: The Traveler, Twixt, and MacGruber
In November 2010, Kilmer starred in "The Traveler," began filming "Twixt" with Francis Ford Coppola, and appeared in "MacGruber."
2010: Consideration of New Mexico Governorship
Val Kilmer briefly considered running for Governor of New Mexico in 2010 but ultimately decided not to pursue it.
2011: New Mexico Ranch Sale
Kilmer sold his New Mexico ranch in 2011.
2011: American Idol Commercial
The song "Val Kilmer" was used in a Ford commercial during season 10 of American Idol in 2011.
April 2012: Citizen Twain Workshop
In April 2012, "Citizen Twain" was performed as a one-man show workshop in Hollywood.
2012: Grammy Nomination and The Fourth Dimension
In 2012, Kilmer received a Grammy nomination and starred in Harmony Korine's short film "The Lotus Community Workshop," part of "The Fourth Dimension."
May 2013: Lobbying for the EACH Act
In May 2013, Kilmer lobbied Congress in support of the Equitable Access to Care and Health Act (EACH Act, H.R. 1814), aiming to create an additional religious exemption from the individual health coverage mandate within Obamacare.
2013: Planes and Psych
Kilmer voiced a character in Disney's "Planes" and appeared in the series finale of "Psych" in 2013.
January 2015: Hospitalization and Tumor Rumors
In January 2015, Kilmer was hospitalized for tests, which his representative said were for a possible tumor. Kilmer denied having a tumor or surgery.
2015: Cancer Diagnosis
Val Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, impacting his vocal cords.
April 2017: Cancer Diagnosis Reveal
In April 2017, Val Kilmer publicly acknowledged having experienced a "healing of cancer," after previously denying rumors of a cancer diagnosis.
December 2017: Throat Cancer and Tracheotomy
In December 2017, it was revealed Kilmer had battled throat cancer for two years and underwent a tracheotomy, impacting his voice.
2017: Song to Song and The Snowman Release
In 2017, Kilmer appeared in "Song to Song" and "The Snowman."
2017: The Snowman Release
Kilmer starred in the thriller "The Snowman" in 2017.
August 2020: Paydirt Release
Kilmer appeared alongside his daughter, Mercedes, in "Paydirt" in August 2020.
2020: Memoir Publication
Kilmer published his memoir, "I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir," in 2020.
2020: Cancer-Free and Health Update
Kilmer reported being cancer-free for four years in 2020, though still facing health challenges and using a feeding tube.
2021: Documentary Release
The documentary film "Val," exploring Kilmer's life and career, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021.
2021: AI Voice Recreation
Val Kilmer worked with Sonantic to recreate his voice using AI technology and archived recordings in 2021.
2022: Top Gun: Maverick and Voice Technology
For the 2022 film "Top Gun: Maverick," director Joseph Kosinski clarified that Kilmer's actual voice was used, albeit digitally altered, rather than AI voice technology.
2022: Top Gun: Maverick
Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in "Top Gun: Maverick" in 2022.
2022: Top Gun: Maverick Release
Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in "Top Gun: Maverick" in 2022.