Val Kilmer had a very varied and astonishing career in Hollywood. Remembered as Batman above everything else, there was a lot that the actor did for the industry in all the films in which he starred. While allegedly notoriously difficult to work with, Kilmer at least merited two Academy Awards, giving some of the best performances in his life.
Kilmer had played a slew of roles, some of which were biographical in nature. Two such roles had caused the actor to garner a lot of critical acclaim, the kind that usually gets the Academy buzzing about nominations and awards. However, Kilmer never received the recognition he deserved for these films and the roles he played in them.
The Doors (1991) and Tombstone (1993) were two films in which Val Kilmer played vastly different roles, and despite the nature of these films, Kilmer delivered with a lot of pomp and technique. Playing these characters was easily one of the most interesting bits of his career, and it definitely deserves to be highlighted.
Tombstone and The Doors deserved more recognition for Val Kilmer
A cult classic that was a financial success as well as a critical hit, Tombstone saw Val Kilmer essay the role of Doc Holiday. The film borrowed from real-world events of the American Wild West in the 1880s, such as the Gunfight of O.K. Corral, and the Earp Vendetta Ride.
Val Kilmer’s performance as Doc Holliday was widely praised by fans and critics. One of the huge upsets of the Awards season back then was that Kilmer had been snubbed in the race for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Kilmer played a dramatized version of Holiday, largely considered to be one of the most celebrated figures to come out of the period.
The Doors, too, was a biographical endeavor as well, where Val Kilmer essayed the role of the lead singer of The Doors, Jim Morrison. While receiving generally favorable reviews, there was a lot that the film had going on that caused it to get snubbed during the Awards season. Kilmer’s performance as the lead was not only praised but also called the highlight of the film, but failed to secure an Oscar nomination anyway.
Val Kilmer passed away at the age of 65 on April 1, 2025
Val Kilmer, it has been revealed, passed away on April 1st, 2025. The cause of death has been reported to be pneumonia, as revealed by the late actor’s daughter. Josh Brolin took to Instagram to wish the actor farewell in a heartfelt post, which shows a picture of himself with the actor, reading (via Brolin’s Instagram):
See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.
Director Michael Mann and Josh Gaid have also come out with tributes for the actor on social media, praising the genius that Val Kilmer brought to his roles. The actor remains one of the most reputed leading men of Hollywood, having played Batman, along with a slew of other iconic characters in some brilliant Hollywood classics.
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