Val Kilmer made a mark in Hollywood for his exceptional performances in various films and other projects. While he is synonymous with comedy and action-adventure movies, he is also a staple in other film genres, particularly during the 1990s. It made him one of the most successful actors in the industry, earning an estimate of $25 million. Here is an explanation of how Kilmer made plenty of money throughout his acting career.
Val Kilmer: Early Life
The actor was born in Los Angeles, California, on December 31, 1959, to a lady named Gladys Swanette and Eugene Dorris Kilmer. His father, a real estate businessman and aerospace equipment distributor, was Scottish-Irish, English, German, and French descent, while his mother has a Swedish lineage. Kilmer’s parents divorced when Kilmer was only eight years old.
He went to Los Angeles’ Berkeley Hall School, up to his ninth grade, then moved to Chatsworth High School, where fellow actors Mare Winningham and Kevin Spacey also studied. He also enrolled in the Hollywood Professional School. Kilmer was also recognized as the youngest student who has ever received the honor of getting into the prestigious Julliard School’s Drama Division at that time. He was part of the Drama Division’s Group 10 class.
Val Kilmer: Acting Career From 1981 to 2000
Kilmer started his acting career while he was a student at the Juilliard School. He starred and co-wrote a play titled “How It All Began” in 1981. Because he was committed to his stage duties, he turned down an acting opportunity to star in Francis Ford Coppola’S “The Outsider” movie in 1983. During the same time, he appeared with Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon in an off-Broadway show called “The Slab Boys.”
Val Kilmer: Acting Career
Kilmer started his acting career while he was a student at the Juilliard School. He starred and co-wrote a play titled “How It All Began” in 1981. Because he was committed to his stage duties, he turned down an acting role in Francis Ford Coppola’S “The Outsider” movie in 1983. During the same time, he appeared with Kevin Bacon and Sean Penn in an off-Broadway show called “The Slab Boys.”
His first acting career on TV happened later that year when he was hired to appear in one episode of “ABC Afterschool Special.” But his first major break came when he played the role of a rock star in the hit comedy film “Top Secret!” He sang all the soundtrack played in the movie. Kilmer had a short hiatus to travel all over Europe then returned to acting through the 1985 film “Real Genius.”
The actor catapulted to stardom when he became part of 1986’s “Top Gun,” together with Tom Cruise. In 1991, he portrayed the role of the legendary Jim Morrison in the 1991 film “The Doors.” He also appeared in 1995’s “Heat,” one of the best crime/drama movies of the 1990s, alongside Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. But Kilmer’s legacy may forever link him to the role of Batman in the 1995 film “Batman Forever.”
In 2000, he appeared in several movies like “Red Planet” and “The Salton Sea.” He also returned to the theatre to portray the role of Moses in “The Ten Commandments: The Musical.” The actor also lent his voice to a Disney animated movie called “Planes.”
Currently, fans are waiting for Kilmer’s return on the big screen as Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazinsky in the highly-anticipated sequel called “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Val Kilmer: Other Ventures
Apart from his film and TV appearances, Kilmer was involved in other ventures. One of which is appearing in a couple of music videos like Tenacious D’s single “To Be the Best” in 2012 and Oneohtrix Point Never’s “Animals” back in 2016. He also became a voice talent for Walker Sloan’s 2011 video game called “Spider-Man: Edge of Time.”
Kilmer also wrote a memoir titled “I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir,” released in 2020.
Kilmer’s longevity in the entertainment industry and other activities allowed him to earn $25 million throughout the years. With several projects underway, the actor may still increase his wealth soon.
