Obituary: Val Kilmer, actor
Val Kilmer films Kill Me Again in a casino in Las Vegas February 12, 1989 Las Vegas, Nevada .
For some he was difficult to work with, for others he was a dedicated craftsman, but actor Val Kilmer was a performer everyone in Hollywood had an opinion on. A dedicated method actor, Kilmer's more extreme efforts at preparation included taking an ice bath before playing Doc Holliday's death from tuberculosis in Tombstone, wearing leather pants all the time and asking castmates and crew to only refer to him as "Jim" when playing Doors frontman Jim Morrison in The Doors. The Los Angeles native trained at Juilliard and quickly picked up theatre roles before making his film debut in 1984 spy spoof Top Secret! One of his more iconic roles — hotshot pilot Tom "Iceman" Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in 1986's Top Gun — almost did not happen. Kilmer had turned the part down, but relented after the director promised his character would improve from the initial script. By the early 1990s, Kilmer had made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, but his career almost foundered on the rocks of 1995's Batman Forever — his sole turn as the Caped Crusader was much derided, something which the actor blamed on a suffocating Batsuit. Kilmer subsequently mixed arthouse and big box office films, as well as pursuing passion projects: Citizen Twain, a one-man stage show where he played author Samuel Clemens, was one notable example. A talented musician and published poet, Kilmer was also a visual artist. Val Kilmer died on April 1 aged 65. — APL/agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
3 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Obituary: Jay North, actor
Jay North, US actor, biting into an apple in a portrait issued as publicity for the US television series, Dennis the Menace, USA, circa 1960. The sitcom starred North as Dennis Mitchell. Jay North appeared in many TV shows but it was his first, as a 6-year-old, which made his name. A Hollywood native, North's photogenic looks and his mother's connections secured him a brief appearance on his favourite programme. Spotted by an agent, North was signed up the next day. After a handful of small parts North auditioned for the part of mischief maker Dennis in a planned TV adaptation of Hank Ketcham's cartoon strip Dennis the Menace. It did not go well but his agent negotiated a call back, which he aced. North played Dennis for four seasons starting in 1959, but as an adult revealed it was not always a pleasant experience: he had to work long hours and his aunt, who was minding him, was harsh on him. Later North appeared on TV in shows including The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The Lucy Show, My Three Sons, Lassie and The Simpsons, as well as movie credits, but was never re-discovered. Jay North died on April 6 aged 73. — APL/agencies
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Obituary: Val Kilmer, actor
Val Kilmer films Kill Me Again in a casino in Las Vegas February 12, 1989 Las Vegas, Nevada . For some he was difficult to work with, for others he was a dedicated craftsman, but actor Val Kilmer was a performer everyone in Hollywood had an opinion on. A dedicated method actor, Kilmer's more extreme efforts at preparation included taking an ice bath before playing Doc Holliday's death from tuberculosis in Tombstone, wearing leather pants all the time and asking castmates and crew to only refer to him as "Jim" when playing Doors frontman Jim Morrison in The Doors. The Los Angeles native trained at Juilliard and quickly picked up theatre roles before making his film debut in 1984 spy spoof Top Secret! One of his more iconic roles — hotshot pilot Tom "Iceman" Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in 1986's Top Gun — almost did not happen. Kilmer had turned the part down, but relented after the director promised his character would improve from the initial script. By the early 1990s, Kilmer had made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, but his career almost foundered on the rocks of 1995's Batman Forever — his sole turn as the Caped Crusader was much derided, something which the actor blamed on a suffocating Batsuit. Kilmer subsequently mixed arthouse and big box office films, as well as pursuing passion projects: Citizen Twain, a one-man stage show where he played author Samuel Clemens, was one notable example. A talented musician and published poet, Kilmer was also a visual artist. Val Kilmer died on April 1 aged 65. — APL/agencies
Otago Daily Times
11-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Renewal, reflection, connection for Puaka Matariki
As Puaka and Matariki rise in the predawn skies, Ōtepoti Dunedin is preparing to welcome the Māori New Year with the Puaka Matariki Festival — a month-long celebration of renewal, reflection and connection. Now in its 15th year in Ōtepoti, the festival will run from June 14 to July 12. The programme will include 26 events, including a traditional hautapu (sacred offering) ceremony, the sharing of kai, kapa haka performances and the return of the festival's spectacular drone show lighting up the winter night. Puaka Matariki Festival co-ordinator Rewa Pene said in a statement: "From marae to museums, this year's festival will have something for everyone — and that's the whole idea". The Puaka Matariki Festival was created in 2009 with a clear kaupapa to include everyone — Māori and non-Māori alike — in celebrating the richness of te ao Māori and the turning of the year. "The aim has always been to recognise Matariki's significance and bring communities together to learn, share and grow. That inclusive intent remains at the heart of the festival today," Ms Pene said. Highlights will include: • A dawn hautapu ceremony and 3-day wānaka at Puketeraki Marae, including a Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop. • A hautapu ceremony at Araiteuru Marae as part of the "Hara Mai te Toki" on June 20, 5am-9am. • The public launch ceremony "Matariki Ahuka Nui" on June 20, from 6.45am at Tūhura Otago Museum Reserve. • The drone light show "Matariki mā Puaka" on June 21, 5.30pm-9pm, at Logan Park. • The exclusive Dunedin film premiere of Kōkā on June 18, from 6.15pm, at Rialto Cinemas. — APL
