RIP Val Kilmer: Celebrating cult classic Real Genius is now a moral imperative
1 min read
Summary
Val Kilmer, actor best known for roles in films such as Top Gun, The Doors and Batman Forever, has died at the age of 65.
Kilmer’s career spanned several decades, and while he was regarded as an actor of considerable talent, he was also known for being difficult to work with.
Kilmer’s later career was impacted by his battles with cancer, which affected his speaking voice, making it difficult for him to portray characters broadly differently from each other, as he had done previously.
He took on several cameos in recent years, but following his cancer battle, he largely stepped away from the spotlight.
Kilmer’s most popular roles included playing the rock star Jim Morrison in The Doors, a scientist in Real Genius, a cowboy in Tombstone and the Iceman opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun.
