---
name: "Val Kilmer"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/val-kilmer"
fi1m_id: "val-kilmer"
imdb_id: "nm0000174"
tmdb_id: 5576
wikidata_id: "Q191084"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "31 December 1959"
died: "1 April 2025"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-04T18:47:45.993426+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Val Kilmer

## Identity

Val Kilmer

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/val-kilmer
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** val-kilmer
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000174
- **TMDB ID:** 5576
- **Wikidata ID:** Q191084
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_Kilmer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191084, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000174/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5576

Actor. Born 31 December 1959 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Died 1 April 2025.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 31 December 1959, Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Died:** 1 April 2025
- **Active:** 1984–2022
- **Also known as:** Val Edward Kilmer
- **Frequently works with:** [Tommy Lee Jones](https://film.one/person/tommy-lee-jones.md), [Tony Scott](https://film.one/person/tony-scott.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 74 (2), 1990s 76 (4), 2000s 71 (2), 2010s 50 (1), 2020s 80 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 70 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 8 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 6, Drama 5, Comedy 4, Crime 4, Adventure 2, Romance 2
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,638m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_Kilmer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191084, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000174/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5576

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*True Romance*](https://film.one/film/true-romance.md) (82)
- **Apple TV:** [*Top Gun: Maverick*](https://film.one/film/top-gun-maverick.md) (80)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Kiss Kiss Bang Bang*](https://film.one/film/kiss-kiss-bang-bang.md) (79)
- **Disney+:** [*The Prince of Egypt*](https://film.one/film/the-prince-of-egypt.md) (74)
- **Hulu:** [*Top Gun*](https://film.one/film/top-gun.md) (71)
- **HBO Max:** [*Batman Forever*](https://film.one/film/batman-forever.md) (56)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Val Kilmer

> Val Kilmer brought an off-centre intensity even to mainstream parts. We rate him especially highly in *Heat*, where precise physical work helps make a supporting character worth as much attention as the men at the centre.

Watch Val Kilmer handle a gun in *Heat* (1995): he makes the practised movements look like an ordinary part of Chris Shiherlis's working life. That precision is one of his strengths, but Michael Mann also makes use of Chris's volatility. We found Chris unsettling because being good at his work did so little to make him seem at ease. It is a substantial supporting performance in a film that knows why supporting characters need time.

His early screen work included *Real Genius* (1985), before Iceman in *Top Gun* (1986) brought him mainstream prominence. The substantial roles that followed, Jim Morrison in *The Doors* (1991) and Doc Holliday in *Tombstone* (1993), suited an actor willing to commit himself physically and vocally. Those parts also left room for the eccentricity that could make him an awkward fit as a conventional leading man.

In *Heat*, Mann lets the wider company matter without making every scene serve the central rivalry. Together with Diane Venora, Amy Brenneman and Ashley Judd, Kilmer gives us reason to care about the people around the pursuit. Elliot Goldenthal's music keeps a sadness in the quieter passages that the force of the acting might otherwise overwhelm. Some characters explain themselves too much, but the patience pays off.

*Batman Forever* (1995) is the useful caution: a prominent leading role need not be the right one. Its conventional demands constrained the eccentricity that made Kilmer interesting elsewhere. His later move towards character parts allowed more of it back, with Gay Perry in *Kiss Kiss Bang Bang* (2005) a clear example of his comic strengths. The distinctive delivery matters there as much as the physical performance.

We would start with *Heat*, and allow it its 170 minutes. There is room for Chris's loyalty as well as his volatility, and for Kilmer to work as one member of a strong ensemble. Do not hurry through the quieter scenes to get back to the guns.

## Biography

Val Kilmer was an American actor. He was born in Los Angeles, California, on 31 December 1959 and died on 1 April 2025.

He began in stage work before appearing in films such as *Top Secret!* (1984), *Real Genius* (1985), *Top Gun* (1986) and *Willow* (1988). In the 1990s he played Jim Morrison in *The Doors* (1991), Doc Holliday in *Tombstone* (1993), Mentor in *True Romance* (1993), Chris Shiherlis in *Heat* (1995) and Batman in *Batman Forever* (1995).

Later credits include *The Saint* (1997), *Kiss Kiss Bang Bang* (2005) and *Top Gun: Maverick* (2022).

*Sources: britannica.com, imdb.com, bamfstyle.com.*

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Top Gun: Maverick* (2022), Fi1m 80, as Adm. Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky — [page](https://film.one/film/top-gun-maverick.md)
- *Jay and Silent Bob Reboot* (2019), Fi1m 50, as Bluntman — [page](https://film.one/film/jay-and-silent-bob-reboot.md)
- *Kiss Kiss Bang Bang* (2005), Fi1m 79, as Gay Perry — [page](https://film.one/film/kiss-kiss-bang-bang.md)
- *Entourage* (2004), Fi1m 63, as The Sherpa — [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *The Prince of Egypt* (1998), Fi1m 74, as Moses (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-prince-of-egypt.md)
- *Batman Forever* (1995), Fi1m 56, as Batman / Bruce Wayne — [page](https://film.one/film/batman-forever.md)
- *Heat* (1995), Fi1m 91, as Chris Shiherlis — [page](https://film.one/film/heat.md)
- *True Romance* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Mentor — [page](https://film.one/film/true-romance.md)
- *Top Gun* (1986), Fi1m 71, as Ice — [page](https://film.one/film/top-gun.md)
- *Top Secret!* (1984), Fi1m 76, as Nick Rivers — [page](https://film.one/film/top-secret.md)

## Complete filmography (103)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Top Gun: Maverick* (2022), as Adm. Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/top-gun-maverick.md)
- *Val* (2021), Producer, Director of Photography
- *The Birthday Cake* (2021), as Uncle Angelo
- *A Soldier's Revenge* (2021), as CJ
- *Paydirt* (2020), as Sheriff Tucker
- *Jay and Silent Bob Reboot* (2019), as Bluntman — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/jay-and-silent-bob-reboot.md)
- *1st Born* (2019), as Biden
- *The Super* (2018), as Walter
- *The Snowman* (2017), as Rafto
- *Song to Song* (2017), as Duane
- *Animals* (2016), Actor
- *Cinema Twain* (2016), as Mark Twain · Director, Producer, Writer
- *Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn* (2014), as Mark Twain
- *Palo Alto* (2014), as Stewart
- *The Spoils of Babylon* (2014), series, as General Cauliffe
- *Standing Up* (2013), as Hofstadder
- *Planes* (2013), as Bravo (voice)
- *Riddle* (2013), as Sheriff Richards
- *The Roadie* (2012), Actor
- *The Fourth Dimension* (2012), as Val Kilmer (segment "The Lotus Community Workshop")
- *The Lotus Community Workshop* (2012), as Val Kilmer
- *7 Below* (2012), as McCormick
- *Wyatt Earp's Revenge* (2012), as Wyatt Earp
- *Breathless* (2012), as Dale
- *Deep in the Heart* (2012), as The Bearded Man
- *Twixt* (2011), as Hall Baltimore, Songs
- *5 Days of War* (2011), as Dutchman
- *Blood Out* (2011), as Arturo
- *Kill the Irishman* (2011), as Joe Manditski
- *The Traveler* (2010), as Mr. Nobody / Drifter
- *Gun* (2010), as Angel
- *MacGruber* (2010), as Cunth
- *Bloodworth* (2010), as Warren Bloodworth
- *Double Identity* (2009), as Dr. Nicholas Pinter
- *Hardwired* (2009), as Virgil Kirkhill
- *Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans* (2009), as Stevie Pruit
- *The Thaw* (2009), as Dr. David Kruipen
- *American Cowslip* (2009), as Todd Inglebrink
- *Streets of Blood* (2009), as Detective Andy Devereaux
- *The Steam Experiment* (2009), as Jimmy
- *Delgo* (2008), as Bogardus (voice)
- *Unconquered: Allan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family* (2008), as Narrator (voice)
- *XIII* (2008), series, as La Mangouste
- *Knight Rider* (2008), series, as KITT (voice)
- *2:22* (2008), as Maz
- *Columbus Day* (2008), as John Cologne
- *Felon* (2008), as John Smith
- *The Love Guru* (2008), as Val Kilmer (uncredited)
- *American Meth* (2008), as Narrator
- *Knight Rider* (2008), as K.I.T.T. (voice)
- *Conspiracy* (2008), as MacPherson
- *Comanche Moon* (2008), series, as Inish Scull · Associate Producer
- *Have Dreams, Will Travel* (2007), as Henderson
- *Déjà Vu* (2006), as Paul Pryzwarra
- *Moscow Zero* (2006), as Andrey
- *Dead Man's Bounty* (2006), as The Wanted Man
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Detective Dobson
- *Played* (2006), as Dillon
- *10th & Wolf* (2006), as Murtha
- *The Ten Commandments: The Musical* (2006), as Moses
- *Kiss Kiss Bang Bang* (2005), as Gay Perry — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/kiss-kiss-bang-bang.md)
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Mason Lancer
- *Alexander* (2004), as Philip
- *Entourage* (2004), series, as The Sherpa — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *Stateside* (2004), as Staff Sergeant Skeer
- *Mindhunters* (2004), as Jake Harris
- *George and the Dragon* (2004), as El Cabillo (uncredited)
- *Spartan* (2004), as Scott
- *Blind Horizon* (2003), as Frank Kavanaugh
- *The Missing* (2003), as Lt. Jim Ducharme
- *Wonderland* (2003), as John Holmes
- *Masked and Anonymous* (2003), as Animal Wrangler
- *Hard Cash* (2002), as FBI Agent Mark C. Cornell
- *The Salton Sea* (2002), as Tom Van Allen | Danny Parker
- *Red Planet* (2000), as Robby Gallagher
- *Pollock* (2000), as Willem DeKooning
- *Joe the King* (1999), as Bob Henry
- *At First Sight* (1999), as Virgil Adamson
- *The Prince of Egypt* (1998), as Moses (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-prince-of-egypt.md)
- *Africa Unbottled* (1998), Producer
- *The Saint* (1997), as Simon Templar
- *The Ghost and the Darkness* (1996), as Col. John Henry Patterson
- *Dead Girl* (1996), as Dr. Dark
- *The Island of Dr. Moreau* (1996), as Montgomery
- *Heat* (1995), as Chris Shiherlis — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/heat.md)
- *Batman Forever* (1995), as Batman / Bruce Wayne — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/batman-forever.md)
- *Wings of Courage* (1995), as Jean Mermoz
- *Tombstone* (1993), as Doc Holliday
- *The Real McCoy* (1993), as J.T. Barker
- *True Romance* (1993), as Mentor — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/true-romance.md)
- *Thunderheart* (1992), as Ray Levoi
- *The Doors* (1991), as Jim Morrison
- *Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers* (1991), as Reader
- *Kill Me Again* (1989), as Jack Andrews
- *Billy the Kid* (1989), as William Bonney
- *Willow* (1988), as Madmartigan
- *The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains* (1987), as Robert Elliot Burns / Elliot Roberts
- *The Murders in the Rue Morgue* (1986), as Philippe Huron
- *Top Gun* (1986), as Ice — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/top-gun.md)
- *Real Genius* (1985), as Chris Knight
- *One Too Many* (1985), as Eric
- *Top Secret!* (1984), as Nick Rivers — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/top-secret.md)
- *ABC Afterschool Special* (1972), series, as Eric

## Gallery

- ![Val Kilmer as Chris Shiherlis in Heat (1995)](https://film.one/media/title/9/still-10a980199795.jpg) Val Kilmer as Chris Shiherlis in *Heat* (1995) — Image via TMDB
- ![Val Kilmer as Mentor in True Romance (1993)](https://film.one/media/title/4198/still-c1da4d29ecd8.jpg) Val Kilmer as Mentor in *True Romance* (1993) — Image via TMDB
- ![Val Kilmer as Ice in Top Gun (1986)](https://film.one/media/title/6408/still-d11ea99867b7.jpg) Val Kilmer as Ice in *Top Gun* (1986) — Image via TMDB
- ![Val Kilmer](https://film.one/media/person/176/gallery-8e1fba0fac42.jpg) Val Kilmer — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Val_Kilmer_Cannes.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actor Val Kilmer reigning as King of the Bacchus Parade, Sunday before Mardi Gras Day, New Orleans. (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/176/gallery-4f3d853b3bf2.jpg) Actor Val Kilmer reigning as King of the Bacchus Parade, Sunday before Mardi Gras Day, New Orleans. (2009) — Team at Carnaval.com Studios, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Hail-Bacchus_Val_Kilmer.jpg/1280px-Hail-Bacchus_Val_Kilmer.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Actor Val Kilmer emcees and performs a monologue at Sean Carnage Monday Nights at Pehrspace. (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/176/gallery-8841603db7e4.jpg) Actor Val Kilmer emcees and performs a monologue at Sean Carnage Monday Nights at Pehrspace. (2011) — Seanwilliamcarney, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Actor_Val-Kilmer_performing_at_Pehrspace_2011.jpg/1280px-Actor_Val-Kilmer_performing_at_Pehrspace_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Val Kilmer](https://film.one/media/person/176/gallery-47e0c06bb1dc.jpg) Val Kilmer — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/val-kilmer