“I spent all my highschool and college study weeks watching Real Genius over and over on repeat. What an epic time. Val is a legend. From Willow to The Doors.. wow.. and so much more. I will truly miss you Val ” devastated! <3 – Trinity
Real Genius is a 1985 American science fiction comedy film directed by Martha Coolidge, written by Neal Israel, Pat Proft, and PJ Torokvei, and starring Val Kilmer and Gabriel Jarret. The film, set on the campus of Pacific Tech, a science and engineering university similar to Caltech, follows Chris Knight (Kilmer), a genius in his senior year, who is paired with a new student on campus, Mitch Taylor (Jarret), to work on a chemical laser, only to learn it will be used for dangerous purposes. The film received positive reviews from critics, and grossed $13 million at the North American box office.[2]
Val Edward Kilmer (December 31, 1959 – April 1, 2025)[1] was an American actor. Initially a stage actor, he found fame after appearances in comedy films Real Genius (1985) and later in the military action film Top Gun (1986) and the fantasy film Willow (1988). Kilmer gained acclaim for his portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone‘s The Doors (1991).
He starred in a variety of films, including the western Tombstone (1993) and the crime dramas True Romance (1993) and Heat (1995). In addition, he portrayed Batman in Joel Schumacher‘s Batman Forever (1995) and went on to appear in The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), The Saint (1997), The Prince of Egypt (1998), Alexander (2004), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), and The Snowman (2017). In 2022, Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, marking his final film performance.
In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer. He subsequently underwent a tracheal procedure that damaged his vocal cords, leaving him with severe difficulty speaking. He also underwent chemotherapy and two tracheotomies.[2][3][4][5] In 2020, he published his memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir.[6] The 2021 documentary film Val chronicles his health struggles and career, and it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim.[7]
Recognized as one of the best-paid actors of the 1990s, Kilmer’s films have grossed over $3.7 billion worldwide.[8] In 1992, film critic Roger Ebert remarked, “if there is an award for the most unsung leading man of his generation, Kilmer should get it.”[9]
Kilmer was born December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California,[1] the second of three sons to Gladys Swanette (née Ekstadt)[10] and Eugene Dorris Kilmer.[11] His mother was of Swedish descent,[12] and his father’s ancestry included Irish, German and Cherokee roots.[13] His parents divorced in 1968 when he was 8 years old. His mother later married William Bernard Leach in 1970. Kilmer’s grandfather was a gold miner in New Mexico, near the border with Arizona.[14] In 1977, Kilmer’s younger brother Wesley, who had epilepsy, drowned in a jacuzzi at age 15.[15][16]
He attended Chatsworth High School with Kevin Spacey.[1] His high school girlfriend was Mare Winningham.[17] He became the youngest person at the time to be accepted into the Juilliard School‘s Drama Division, where he was a member of Group 10.[18]
Kilmer made several trips to New Orleans to help in the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster relief.[73] He was a supporter of Native American affairs and an advocate of environmental protection.[74] Kilmer briefly considered running for Governor of New Mexico in 2010, but decided against it.[75]
In May 2013, Kilmer lobbied Congress on behalf of the Equitable Access to Care and Health Act, or EACH Act (H.R. 1814), a bill “to provide an additional religious exemption from the individual health coverage mandate” of Obamacare.[76][77]
Kilmer was an avid musician; he released a CD called Sessions with Mick in 2007.[78]
VAL – Official Trailer | Prime Video
bike is sick!!!!! Ducati is always making a pretty sled, but this bike incorporates many thoughtful updates and the...
