Starring Val Kilmer

ABOUT THE SERIES:

The American Cinematheque is saddened by the loss of one of Hollywood’s most magnetic and versatile stars, the great actor Val Kilmer. Known to be particularly introspective, Kilmer brought classical star power and a rare artistic fervor to every project he appeared in.

Throughout his multifaceted career, Kilmer challenged himself to take on many different roles and defy typecasting, proving to be a master of the craft and one of the eminent leading men of his generation. Our ongoing retrospective begins with Kilmer’s iconic turn as the caped crusader in BATMAN FOREVER and the satirical comedy TOP SECRET!, which parodies Elvis’ quintessential musicals, spy films of the Cold War era and World War II films—all of which would inform Kilmer’s later work. For example, in TRUE ROMANCE, he plays a manifestation of Elvis Presley, showcasing his ability to transform even smaller roles to leave a significant impact on the film.

His breakout performance in TOP GUN earned him global recognition, establishing the beginning of an iconic career in Hollywood that spanned genres and generations. Having starred in comedies such as REAL GENIUS, neo-noir epics such as HEAT, fantasy films like WILLOW and music biopics like THE DOORS, Val Kilmer has been a staple for moviegoers of all kinds.