Hollywood star Val Kilmer has taken on the remarkable challenge of portraying real-life figures in 12 distinct films. While his performances in these roles often exude gravitas and dedication, the quality of these films can vary widely. From embodying ancient Greek kings and legendary figures of the Old West to iconic rock stars, renowned painters, and even well-known figures from the adult film industry, Kilmer has convincingly delved into the mannerisms and narratives of a diverse array of public personas.
Val Kilmer’s movie career began with comedic roles before achieving widespread recognition with Top Gun. He subsequently soared to become one of the highest-paid actors of the 1990s. Throughout his extensive career, Kilmer has consistently brought his unique presence and bold talents to a surprising number of films inspired by real-life stories. The films in which Val Kilmer portrays actual people encompass a spectrum from the mediocre to the most iconic offerings of their respective decades
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain 2014
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn is an adaptation of two different but related novels by celebrated 1800s author Mark Twain. Kilmer appears as the author to narrate the film, and the actor is unrecognizable under his makeup and the way he perfectly captures the spirit of the real Twain. The film, however, is filled with wooden dialogue and is relatively unfaithful to its famous source material.
Wyatt Earp’s Revenge – Wyatt Earp 2012
Wyatt Earp’s Revenge tells a fictionalized account of Wyatt Earp’s history as a legendary frontiersman in the American West, following his time as a deputy in Kansas and his attempt to seek revenge for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. Kilmer narrates the story to a journalist, while Shawn Roberts (of Resident Evil fame) plays his younger self. One of Earp’s accomplices is Doc Holliday, another real-life character Kilmer played in his film career in Tombstone. Wyatt Earp’s Revenge is heavily fictionalized, with one of its most egregious changes being rewriting the story to have taken place to his girlfriend, whom Earp never dated.
Billy the Kid – Billy the Kid 1989
The made-for-TV Billy the Kid film written by famed American writer Gore Vidal follows the life of iconic Western outlaw and gunman Billy the Kid. Kilmer’s portrayal of Billy the Kid, whose real name was William Bonney, was perceived as widely accurate and the film is considered one of the most historically faithful films about the gunman ever made. While the film maintains historical accuracy, its slow pacing makes it more appealing to fans of history than average film watchers.
The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains – Robert Elliott Burns 1987
In The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains, Kilmer plays World War I veteran Robert Elliott Burns, who was known for his two dangerous escapes from a Georgia chain gang as well as the book he wrote exposing the cruelty of the system. The dynamic cast brings weight to the film, led by Kilmer’s commanding and emotional performance and his astonishing ability to traverse the growth of the character over several decades. This HBO film occasionally falters due to its television budget, but the story, filmmaking, and Kilmer’s outstanding performance make for an exciting and suspenseful w atch.
Alexander – King Philip II of Macedon 2004
Kilmer works once again with multiple Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone on Alexander. The film follows the story of Alexander the Great, here played by Colin Farrell, and Kilmer plays his father King Philip II. After Alexander objects to Philip’s new marriage, he is banished from the palace, but later becomes King when Philip is assassinated. The film was a failure with critics who called it slow and academic, and it only made a small profit at the box office. Still, Stone’s ambitious and visually stunning direction, and especially the epic battle sequence, plus the engaging true story make this much more exciting than critics first made it out to be.
Wonderland – John Holmes 2003
Kilmer plays famous pornographic film star John Holmes in this nonlinear multiple point-of-view recounting of his accusations for the 1981 murders of four people in Los Angeles, for which he was never tried. Kilmer perfectly embodies the warring sides of Holmes’s personality and delivers one of his most emotionally charged performances. The rest of the cast is equally phenomenal and star-studded, with Carrie Fisher, Lisa Kudrow, Christina Applegate, and Dylan McDermott, to name just a few. The film’s grimy aesthetic and intense true crime story make for a thrilling viewing experience.
The Ghost and the Darkness – Lieutenant-Colonel John Henry Patterson 1996
Kilmer stars opposite Michael Douglas in this thrilling historical adventure based on Patterson’s autobiographical novel. The film follows the noted Irish military officer and hunter as he attempts to oversee the construction of a railway bridge in Kenya until two lions begin attacking and killing the crew. This tale of man against nature is viscerally intense and fittingly epic.
The Doors – Jim Morrison 1991
Directed by Oliver Stone, The Doors follows the history of the iconic band of the same name, with Val Kilmer starring as lead vocalist Jim Morrison. Kilmer’s complete transformation into the legendary frontman is one of the actor’s best performances. Meanwhile, the film’s trippy visuals and hyperactive pacing are a stylish and effective reflection of Morrison’s life.
Pollock – Willem de Kooning 2000
Ed Harris directed and stars in this biographical film about the life of American painter Jackson Pollock. Kilmer appears for only a brief amount of screen time as his artistic rival, Dutch painter Willem de Kooning. Though the film is an emotional portrayal of Pollock’s troubled life, its biggest accomplishment is in depicting the creative process, something many biopics fail to achieve.
The Prince of Egypt – Moses & God 1998
Kilmer voices the lead role of the prophet Moses in DreamWorks Animation’s musical film The Prince of Egypt. The film is easily one of the most visually stunning DreamWorks animated movies, and its phenomenal voice cast brings the characters to vivid life. With winning songs and gorgeous animation, The Prince of Egypt manages to beautifully deliver its mature story, all while remaining suitable for children.
Tombstone – Doc Holliday 1993
Before playing Wyatt Earp, portrayed by Kurt Russell in Tombstone, Kilmer took on the role of his accomplice Doc Holliday in this loose retelling of Earp’s impact on 1880s Arizona. Kilmer was singled out by many critics for his scene-stealing performance as the alcoholic gambler and gunfighter. With its ability to evoke earlier Westerns while bringing its own modern flair to the genre and its thrilling action, Tombstone is one of Kilmer’s best works.
True Romance – Elvis 1993
Kilmer has a brief role in 1993’s True Romance as an apparition of Elvis who visits lead character Clarence, played by Christian Slater. Directed by Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino, True Romance follows newlyweds on the run after stealing a shipment of cocaine. True Romance still holds up today as a stylish, action-packed, occasionally hilarious, and incredibly unique film and one of the best of the 1990s, as well as the best of Val Kilmer’s films in which he portrays a real person.