6 Lesser-Known Facts About Val Kilmer’s Colorful Life

Val Kilmer was for several years a leading man in Hollywood with a series of hit comedy films and crime dramas under his belt. Thanks to the actor's feats in classics, including Top Gun and Tombstone, he will always be a true legend. Yet, his prolific career faltered due to health issues, personal reasons, and a reputation of being troublesome off-camera.

In the 2021 documentary Val, Kilmer offers the audience a glimpse of the 40 years of his personal and professional life. It showcased the downfall of an admirable star's career due to complications in his throat. To know more shocking facts about the iconic actor, keep reading.

1. The Youngest Member to Ever Join the Juilliard School’s Drama Division

Although we adore Val Kilmer for his gigs in movies, his roots lie in the theater. Passion for stage work and acting was something he developed in grade school, being naturally good at it. So, after graduating from Hollywood Professional School, Val attended the illustrious Juilliard Performing Arts School.

At only 17, he became the youngest person ever to be accepted into the institute’s drama division during that time. During this phase, the actor performed in the original stage play How It All Began, which was also co-written by him. Indeed, what Val learned at Juilliard stayed with him throughout his life. The vocal drills he had to practice there, helped him communicate when throat disorders affected his speech.

2. He Dismissed a role in The Outsiders for Broadway

If you notice Val's career graph, you'll realize that he was incredibly selective, and his success hints that the actor barely relied on mainstream blockbusters. Perhaps, that's why he could easily turn down Francis Ford Coppola’s offer to star in his 1983 film The Outsiders. Yet, the actor had a more valid reason for dismissing this proposal to play the third lead character.

After graduating from Juilliard, Val wished to follow his passion on the stage and not on screen. So, he joined the New York stage and appeared in the drama Slab Boys alongside Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon. No wonder this welcomed opportunities for him to star on Broadway.

3. Kilmer Didn’t Want to Star in Top Gun Initially

The '80s action film Top Gun is indeed among the most unforgettable films. Yet, would you trust us if we said that Val Kilmer nearly didn't appear in it? Yes, indeed! The actor turned down the offer since the movie's script seemed uninteresting to him.

Val despised warmongering in movies and feared that Top Gun too passed on a similar message. However, the film's director Tony Scott encouraged the actor by explaining how he would have an opportunity to shine with the spectacular aviation footage in the background. Ironically, this choice led to the most defining moment of his career as the movie remains one of his most-loved works.

4. He Videotaped Auditions to Allure Stanley Kubrick

There's more than one reason why Val Kilmer counts among the most fascinating actors of his generation. After the release of the documentary Val, the world admired his incredible collection of video footage of over 40 years. Guess what? The actor had been filming himself ever since the advent of home video cameras in the '80s!

So, it is apparent why Val videotaped himself for filmmakers to assess instead of attending auditions in person. To win a role in 1987’s Vietnam drama Full Metal Jacket, Kilmer made a friend film him wearing a combat outfit and firing on live rounds on the lawn. All this was meant to entice Stanley Kubrick into offering him the challenging role.

5. Kilmer’s Memoir Is Named After a Famous Line From Tombstone

Tombstone was released in 1993. Yet, even years later, one particular dialogue from the film greatly stands out. Val Kilmer's line "I’m your Huckleberry” while playing Doc Holliday has remained in the hearts of audiences. You can even find it on t-shirts and in memes. Though, in the movie, it meant he is the perfect man for the job, who knew the phrase had a deeper meaning to Val?

The actor is supremely fond of the classic film and the character he played. He even attributes his work in Tombstone as a career peak. For that reason, he named his memoir to pay tribute to the glorious role and its well-known dialogue.

6. He Owns a Val Kilmer Gallery and Museum

We mostly remember Val Kilmer for playing remarkably diverse roles in movies and authoring an excellent biography. However, the list doesn't end there. The actor has done everything from engaging in charitable works to publishing poetry books.

Val also channeled his creativity into making art that brought his on-screen work to center stage at his new museum, HelMel Studio & Gallery. Here, you can witness Hollywood art in an office space that serves as both a studio for mentoring artists and a journey.

Despite serious health problems, Val Kilmer managed to keep his inner artist alive. His journey has been a glorious one, enough to inspire millions across the globe.