Hollywood is a place where dreams come true, but it is also a place where many dreams come crashing down.
A large number of actors and actresses have experienced the Hollywood gloss over the years, but few are destined to stay there for long. Those that did, on the other hand, made an impression and even changed the industry permanently.
Val Kilmer is one actor who built a name for himself and then vanished from view.
Val was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, to parents who had no connection to the performing field. Val shown tremendous potential for acting from a young age. He went to Chatsworth High School with Kevin Spacey and Mare Winningham before attending Hollywood Professional School. Val was the youngest person ever accepted into the Juilliard School’s Drama Division in New York at the time.
Val found himself conquering the New York City theater scene after graduating from Juilliard. Following that, he landed roles in blockbusters and finally became a part of some of the most renowned films, like Top Gun, in which he co-starred with Tom Cruise. This film helped Val establish himself practically overnight. Everyone became obsessed with this young actor’s endearing appearance and apparent talent all of a sudden.
Val co-starred in the ABC afterschool special One Too Many with Michelle Pfeiffer in the 1980s. Reports circulated that the two were involved, although neither denied nor confirmed this. Val, on the other hand, penned a song about her called “The Pfeiffer Howls at the Moon,” which only added fuel to the publications’ speculation about their apparent relationship.
Val met his future wife, actress Joanne Whalley, on the set of Willow in 1988. They had two children before calling it quits on their marriage eight years later.
“You just don’t understand humility until you have children and are divorced,” Val said of her divorce to Elle magazine.
“I was hurt and angry, and she was, too. When children are involved, though, you either become friends with respect or mortal foes.”
Val took up the renowned role of Jim Morrison in The Doors in 1991. He performed vocals for the film’s soundtrack, demonstrating yet another ability to the world.
Among the other films that followed and shaped Val’s career are Tombstone, True Romance, and Batman.
Val suffered throat cancer surgery in 2015 and lost his natural voice. When asked what he misses most about his old voice, he simply stated, “That I had one!” That I didn’t burst out laughing like a pirate.”
Regrettably, he is still suffering from the side effects of his cancer therapy.
Val was intended to participate in the relaunch of Willow on Disney+, reprising his 1988 depiction, but his health prohibited him from doing so.
“When COVID swept over the planet,” showrunner Jonathan Kasdan remarked, “it became overwhelming.” “We were getting ready in the spring when it peaked. Val resisted the impulse to speak up as well.”
“We had to figure out a method to keep telling him the story about how his journey was unfolding,” he continued.
“I remember visiting Val shortly after this began and telling her, ‘Hey, we’re doing this, and the entire world wants Madmartigan back,’” Kasdan continued. “Not even close to as much as I do.”
“He hugged me as I walked away.” As he hoisted me, he said, “I’m still extremely powerful.” ‘Fantastic,’ I thought to myself. We started working on his appearance in the first season. We couldn’t get him till late in the process, to be honest.”
Val avoided treatment after being diagnosed with cancer in 2015 because he believed his Christian Science religion would cure the tumors.
He also delayed informing the world about the awful diagnosis until 2017.
In I’m Your Huckleberry, he claimed, “I’ve been cancer-free for more over four years now, with no recurrence.” “I am extremely grateful.”
He also talked about how devastated he felt after losing his voice, and how painting helped him deal. “My creative energies were overflowing and pouring out of me, but I didn’t have a voice to express them.” I regained my artistic side and resumed my writing and drawing. “Art gave me a healing experience.”
