Val Kilmer

Val Edward Kilmer (born December 31, 1959, Los Angeles, California, USA) is an American actor.

Biography

Born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Kilmer is one of three sons born to Gladys and Eugene Kilmer, the others being older brother Mark and younger brother Wesley. The family is of mixed ancestry including Scottish, Swedish, Irish, German, Mongolian, Sephardic Jewish and 1/8th Cherokee ancestry. When he was 17 and just about to start studying at Juilliard Drama School in New York, Wesley drowned in the family's own swimming pool. Recently, Kilmer and director D. J. Caruso explored the theme of loss together in their film release The Salton Sea. Caruso also lost a brother in an accident.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles - California - San Fernando Valley - Scottish - Swedish - Irish - German - Mongolian - Sephardic - Jewish - Cherokee - Juilliard Drama School - New York - Drown - D. J. Caruso

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Kilmer's ex-wife is Joanne Whalley, an actress and former lead singer of Cindy & the Saffrons. The two met while working together on the film Willow. They have two children, daughter Mercedes and son Jack. Their marriage lasted from March 1988 to February 1996.

Related Topics:
Joanne Whalley - Cindy & the Saffrons - Willow - 1988 - 1996

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Kilmer is regarded as "difficult" by some in the industry, such as directors John Frankenheimer (The Island of Doctor Moreau), Ron Howard (Willow) and Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever). Frankenheimer reportedly became so angry that he had Kilmer physically escorted from the set, later commenting "At my age there are two things I will never do, climb Mount Everest or work with Val Kilmer ever again!" However, he has been commended by other directors and co-stars, who see him as a very committed and hard-working actor and easy to get along with.

Related Topics:
John Frankenheimer - The Island of Doctor Moreau - Ron Howard - Willow - Joel Schumacher - Batman Forever - Mount Everest

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In 2004, Kilmer returned to the theatre to play Moses in a Los Angeles musical production of The Ten Commandments produced by BCBG founder Max Azria. The production, which was not a critical success, played the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Kilmer had already voiced Moses for the animated movie The Prince of Egypt.

Related Topics:
2004 - Moses - Los Angeles - The Ten Commandments - Max Azria - Hollywood - The Prince of Egypt

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Recently, Kilmer was in negotiations with Richard Dutcher (God's Army, Brigham City) for the lead role in his 2005 film Prophet: The Story of Joseph Smith. He was initially cast in the part and was excited about playing the Mormon church founder, but had to back out due to other acting obligations. Following something of a decline in his film career and a noticeable weight gain, Kilmer is again looking fit and is starring in The Postman Always Rings Twice on the London stage, which is receiving excellent critical reviews, as are Kilmer and his costars.

Related Topics:
Richard Dutcher - God's Army - Brigham City - 2005 - Prophet - Joseph Smith - Mormon - The Postman Always Rings Twice - London

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