Val Kilmer, who passed away at 65 following a long and painful battle with cancer, was no stranger to controversy.
Known for his bold performances in blockbusters like Top Gun and The Doors, Kilmer’s off-screen persona was just as memorable as his on-screen roles.
Though he captured the hearts of millions with his acting, he left a reputation of being difficult, demanding, and sometimes downright impossible to work with.
Let’s take a closer look at his tumultuous career and personal life.
Val Kilmer: Hollywood’s Perfectionist with a Reputation
The word “perfectionist” is often used to describe people who are overly meticulous about their work, but in Kilmer’s case, it was more about his ego and entitlement than a genuine commitment to excellence.
Kilmer’s Hollywood career spanned several decades, starring in iconic films such as Top Gun, The Saint, and Batman Forever.
Yet, his demanding behavior on set often overshadowed his talent.
His acting wasn’t the only thing that made headlines; his long list of high-profile relationships, including affairs with Cher, Cindy Crawford, and Angelina Jolie, added to his fame.
Kilmer’s Troubling Behavior on Set
Kilmer’s behavior on the set of Batman Forever (1995) became legendary for its rudeness and unprofessionalism.
He arrived late to filming every day, often wrapped in a blanket and disheveled, demanding to be addressed as “Mr. Kilmer”.
His disdain for the role of Batman, which he saw as beneath his theatrical training at Juilliard, was palpable. He spoke his lines in a barely audible whisper, and his complaints about the uncomfortable Batsuit were well-documented.
Director Joel Schumacher later described Kilmer’s behavior as “psychotic,” admitting that the two had a two-week period of silence, which he found somewhat peaceful.
Kilmer’s Egotistical Demands and On-Set Drama
Kilmer’s ego didn’t stop at his acting roles. On the set of The Saint (1997), he became infamous for insisting on being shown more than 1,000 polo-neck sweaters, searching for the perfect one to embody the character.
His demand was so extreme that sweaters were flown in from around the world, but none were deemed right by Kilmer.
The absurdity of it all led many to look back on the film with nostalgia for Roger Moore’s portrayal of the character instead.
Even when it came to his breakthrough role in Top Secret! (1983), Kilmer’s ego was evident.
After learning to play the guitar for the role, he complained that the director wanted him to look like he wasn’t really playing.
Kilmer’s reputation for being a diva continued to grow as his career progressed, culminating in a public outburst on the set of The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), where he demanded that the director be fired after only three days of filming.
Strained Relationships and Personal Struggles
Off-screen, Kilmer’s love life was as tumultuous as his career.
He had high-profile relationships with actresses like Daryl Hannah and Michelle Pfeiffer, but it was his marriage to British actress Joanne Whalley that was most talked about.
The couple married in 1988 but struggled with Kilmer’s infidelities, leading to a highly publicized divorce.
Kilmer’s constant affairs were a significant factor in their breakup, and he was already in a relationship with supermodel Cindy Crawford when the divorce was finalized.
Kilmer’s relationships were marked by intensity and passion.
In his autobiography, he reflected on his time with Cindy Crawford, claiming that her love was so overwhelming that he could have died from it.
However, their relationship ended, and Kilmer moved on to more high-profile romances, including with actress Ellen Barkin and producer Jaycee Gossett.
Kilmer’s Struggles with Fame, Health, and Mentality
Despite his fame, Kilmer’s career faltered as he grew more difficult to work with.
Directors and fellow actors alike began to avoid him, and his reputation as a Hollywood outcast grew.
In the early 2000s, Kilmer’s career took a nosedive. He famously threw a whisky bottle in frustration during the filming of The Salton Sea (2002), reportedly missing the head of the director.
Kilmer’s troubles extended beyond his professional life, with his health becoming a significant concern. He battled throat cancer, a disease that ultimately left him unable to speak clearly.
Despite his Christian Science upbringing, which encouraged the belief that faith could conquer illness, Kilmer turned to both conventional medical treatments, including chemotherapy, and his own mental attitude to fight the disease.
A Troubled Legacy Captured on Film
Kilmer’s story was captured in the 2021 documentary Val, which was compiled from his own extensive home video footage.
His son Jack narrated the film, and it was through this project that the world saw a more vulnerable side of the actor, one struggling with the aftermath of his actions and the toll his career had taken on his body and relationships.
Val Kilmer: A Star Who Couldn’t Escape His Demons
Throughout his life, Val Kilmer seemed to battle a sense of self-destruction.
While he was known for being an extraordinarily talented actor, his behavior, self-imposed limitations, and personal struggles overshadowed his career.
Kilmer’s refusal to take on roles he wanted, and his rejection of some of Hollywood’s most prestigious projects, are a testament to the internal conflict he wrestled with.
Even as his career was winding down, Kilmer returned to a role that reflected his own struggles: in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), his character, Iceman, was battling throat cancer, mirroring Kilmer’s real-life battle with the disease.
Conclusion: The Star Who Was Both Loved and Loathed
Val Kilmer’s life was a complicated mixture of brilliance and turmoil.
While he enjoyed immense success and had relationships with some of the world’s most beautiful women, he was also plagued by personal demons and a reputation for being difficult.
His story is a reminder of the price of fame, the fragility of talent, and the often-ugly consequences of unchecked ego and self-destructive behavior.