Val Kilmer: The Last Hollywood Maverick

Val Kilmer was a Hollywood icon who defined an era with unforgettable roles like Iceman in Top Gun, Doc Holliday in Tombstone, and Jim Morrison in The Doors. His raw talent, intensity, and chameleon-like versatility set him apart in a world of blockbuster giants. In this tribute, we dive into why Val Kilmer was a one-of-a-kind star—forged in the wild 80s and 90s, a time of grit and excess that’s long gone. From his electric screen presence to his battles with authenticity and illness, we explore what made him a legend and why today’s Hollywood can’t replicate him.

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Let’s connect:

[bloodeagle]

Thunderheart is my favourite val Kilmer movie's tied with real genius

[DanYeLL]

“Val” was an incredible glimpse into a beautiful life. I highly recommend it to anyone that hasn’t seen it. I think one reason why Val’s death has affected people is because he did a lot of classics from our childhood. I watch Willow a hundred times as a kid, my dad loved Tombstone and I have great memories watching it with him as a kid, everybody loved Top Gun, and what kid didn’t love the batman movies. When I got older and watched more of his films I realized how incredibly talented he was. The Salton Sea was another great performance that not a lot of people have seen. He always chose roles that were interesting and complex and didn’t just choose the movies that would be huge. He will be missed, but hopefully not forgotten.

[DougFu]

It's depressing what Hollywood has turned into and why I watch less and less new movies every year. Kilmer really could do it all, he could do every genre, be the main or supporting character and be a great hero or villain. He stands out so much in Top Gun but people forget that he has less than 15 minutes of screen time.
My Top 5 Val movies
1. Tombstone
2. Heat
3. Top Gun
4. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
5. Joe the King

[LeoLeddy]

You're so right about Hollywood today, there're talented actors under 50 but like you said, you've to become a lapdog or they will drop you because Hollywood doesn't want movie stars anymore. They've the IPs and it doesn't matter who is in the Minecraft movie or the next Avengers movie. Val Kilmer was one of my favorite actors growing up and
Here's my top 10 and I love True Romance but I'm not counting that one.
1. Tombstone
2. Willow
3. I put Top Gun 1 and 2 on the same level
4. Heat
5. Real Genius
6. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
7. The Ghost and the Darkness
8. The Salton Sea
9. The Saint
10. Batman Forever

[slaaneshhedonite]

I saw Tombstone every weekend during its theatrical run.

[thetalentof]

While I agree that Doc Holiday was probably his most Oscar-worthy performance, I do think 'Thunderheart' is his most underrated movie and arguably his best looking (courtesy of Roger Deakins). Even during the quieter period of his career in the late 2000s, he still gave us one of the better one-location movies out there with 'Columbus Day.'

[pauljewett]

His best film was his first one, Top Secret! I’m sad that you didn’t even give that hilarious movie a mention