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Jacob Mendez
Jacob Mendez

Val Kilmer was an undoubted star of the 80s and 90s. What happened to cause the actor’s career to slow down?

Val Kilmer, born December 31, 1959 in Los Angeles, is one of the most recognizable actors of his generation. The second of three sons of Gladys and Eugene Dorris Kilmer, he grew up in the San Fernando Valley, where he began to develop his passion for acting at a young age. As a teenager, being one of the youngest students in history, he entered the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where he gained a solid foundation for his future career.

His Broadway debut in 1983 in “Slab Boys” launched a brilliant career. He starred opposite Kevin Bacon and Sean Penn, but The real breakthrough came a year later, when he played the main role in the comedy “Top Secret!”. The film became a huge hit, opening the door to big cinema for Kilmer.

The 1980s and 1990s were the peak of his career. Blond hair, blue eyes, and the classic good looks of an American young man meant he was eagerly cast in blockbusters.

In 1986, Thanks to his role in the movie “Top Gun”, he gained international fame. A year later, he took part in “Willow” directed by Ron Howard, which, although not a financial success, contributed significantly to strengthening his position in Hollywood. Another important moment was his appearance in “The Doors” in 1991, where he played the legendary band leader, Jim Morrison. His performance was so convincing that the band itself felt that Kilmer had conveyed the spirit of Morrison in a very authentic way.

The year 1993 brought him another significant role, this time as Elvis Presley in True Romance. Kilmer also excelled in Tombstone and Batman Forever from the same period, where he played the title character. His career seemed to be on a steady upward trajectory, but soon signs of trouble began to appear.

Despite his successes, controversy over his professionalism eventually came to light. He was known for his difficult nature and problems working with other members of the crew. Conflicts with directors, including Oliver Stone and Joel Schumacher, and famous problems on the set of “The Island of Dr. Moreau” began to affect his reputation.

People who worked with him on the set said that the star used the Stanislavski method, which consists of the actor completely losing himself in the character he is playing. This could have been the reason for Kilmer’s distancing himself during recordings and his problems with cooperation.

The hardest challenge Kilmer has faced is battling laryngeal cancer, diagnosed in 2015. Only after talking to his children did he decide to undergo therapy, which allowed him to beat the disease. Today, Kilmer struggles with the lasting consequences of the disease – his voice is seriously distorted, he has trouble breathing.

In 2021, the documentary “Val” debuted, showing his life and career, offering viewers a unique insight into his personal archive and contemporary struggles. Kilmer, although he appears less frequently on screen these days, still has a loyal fan base that eagerly attends his guest appearances. In “Val,” he discusses his feelings about the current situation, expressing gratitude to the audiences who still appreciate his talent and body of work.

“Sometimes I get depressed when I travel around the country to do guest appearances. (…) In the end, I don’t feel humiliated, but grateful to the fans who come to these shows in such large numbers,” says Val Kilmer in the film.

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