Val Edward Kilmer’s death has shaken the whole movie community. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, and after an operation that left his voice raspy and his breathing strained, he was cancer-free but struggled with other medical treatments. He has appeared in a few movies since 2014, and his final performance was in 2022 as “Iceman” Tom Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick, a role he reprised from the first film. Kilmer passed away from pneumonia on the 1st of April 2025. Many prominent actors have come forward with heartfelt tributes and anecdotes after Val Kilmer’s death.
Val Kilmer was an extremely talented actor who captured audiences’ imaginations throughout his illustrious career spanning almost four decades. In the words of Roger Ebert, he was his generation’s most unsung leading man (via Roger Ebert), and this is witnessed in the commitment and passion he would display even in his more forgettable roles. An ardent lover of cinema and a hardworking performer, he has played some iconic characters over the course of his career, which he’ll forever be remembered for.
You are watching: 10 Most Iconic Characters Of Val Kilmer’s Career
10
Chris Knight
Real Genius (1985)
Kilmer began performing as a stage actor in 1983, and played the iconic rock and roll character Nick Rivers in the spy movie spoof comedy Top Secret!, a hidden gem of a film. He even sang his own songs for the film, and his performance made him a breakout star. He was cast in the 1984 sci-fi comedy film Real Genius as the main character, Chris Knight. Real Genius tells the story of a covert CIA operation to create a laser weapon that can illegally assassinate any targets the government wants to.
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The man approached by the CIA, a professor, decides to outsource the work to some of his students. One of them is Chris Knight, who’s supposedly a brilliant scientific mind and a bonafide legend in the physics world. However, he turns out to be a slacker, with the philosophy that committing too hard to school work can dishearten people when their inventions are misused. Kilmer’s slick dialogue delivery and impeccable comic timing add an infectious charisma to Chris Knight’s character.
9
Gay Perry
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, one of the best Christmas movies without Santa Claus, is a quintessential 2000s film that would probably not get made today. The script would at least require some serious revision to meet modern sensibilities. Robert Downey Jr. plays Harry Lockhart, a petty thief in NYC who accidentally wins a screen test, and is sent to LA for more screen tests.
In LA, Harry meets private investigator Perry van Shrike, who is a gay man, which gives him his nickname of Gay Perry. Perry is supposed to guide Harry through his screen tests, but instead gets him embroiled in a sinister murder investigation. Perry’s unlikable demeanor and constant verbal abuse of Harry make him an iconic Val Kilmer character, which shows a different side of his acting range, one we wish we could have seen more of.
8
Simon Templar
The Saint (1997)
Leslie Charteris’ creation, Simon Templar, also known by his alias of The Saint, is one of the most underrated literary characters of all time. Sort of a modern-day Robin Hood, the man uses his excellent thieving skills to take down corporations and politicians. He has a boyish charm and a wicked sense of humor, leaving behind a sketch of a stick figure at all his crime scenes as a cheeky calling card.
Despite it being such a great action-adventure movie, The Saint didn’t do well at the box office when it came out, and thus, the franchise it teased, never came to be.
Over the years, Templar has been adopted for film and TV many times and played by a host of actors, including Roger Moore and Vincent Price. Val Kilmer brought the character to life in the 1997 film The Saint, where he plays the titular character. Templar is a high-tech thief in the film, where he uses his superior skills to steal a secret formula. He goes on a wild adventure across borders. Kilmer’s youthful charm makes one wonder why there weren’t more sequels because he seems born to portray Simon Templar.
7
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Chris Shiherlis
Heat (1995)
Michael Mann’s Heat, one of the best action movies turning 30 in 2025, is the quintessential neo-noir film – it defined the genre and has influenced many filmmakers in the past three decades. The quintessential cynicism that is associated with the noir genre hangs over Heat like a gloomy cloud, creating a moody version of Los Angeles where lawlessness is the norm. It follows master thief Neil McCauley and his gang, as they attempt to escape arrest by Detective Lieutenant Vincent Hanna.
Austin Butler is rumored to be playing Shiherlis in the upcoming movie Heat 2.
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino command the screen as McCauley and Hanna, respectively, and their shared scene in the diner is considered one of the best movie scenes in Hollywood history. Val Kilmer as Chris Shiherlis, McCauley’s right-hand man, holds his own alongside them. He delivers a memorable performance as a competent and sly thief who is laser-focused on the task at hand because he’s motivated by his love for his wife. Austin Butler is rumored to be playing Shiherlis in the upcoming movie Heat 2, which is supposed to be both a prequel and a sequel.
6
Madmartigan
Willow (1988)
Warwick Davis’ titular character in Willow, a perfect non-animated action movie for kids to watch, became his breakout role. The character, written for him, was played by him again in the recent Disney Channel show of the same name. However, many fans’ favorite character from the film is Val Kilmer’s Madmartigan. He’s a disgraced knight who crosses paths with Willow Ulfgood, and joins him on his quest to safely escort Elora away from the evil queen.
A classic fantasy action hero, Madmartigan’s bravery and swordfighting skills will win over any fan of the genre. He was disgraced because he refused to conform, but his dashing demeanor and charming ways, which helped him win Princess Shorsha’s heart, make him one of Kilmer’s most beloved characters. Madmartigan returned to the show, but Kilmer was unable to portray him, and his son voiced the character instead. Kilmer is so inextricably linked with the character that the studio used archival footage from the filming of the 1988 film for Madmartigan’s scenes because recasting him wouldn’t work.
5
Jim Morrison
The Doors (1991)
One of the most iconic figures in rock and roll is The Doors’ frontman Jim Morrison, who is known for his role in the era’s counterculture, controversial lyricism, scandalous lifestyle, and untimely death. There had been interest in a potential biopic of the band for years before Oliver Stone was chosen to direct it. However, instead of focusing equally on each member, as is often the case with band biopics, the film is primarily focused on Morrison.
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Val Kilmer was highly interested in portraying Morrison and worked tirelessly for days to get into shape and the necessary headspace. He practiced singing The Doors’ songs daily for six months and eventually learned 50 of their songs. The 15 songs featured in the biopic all feature Kilmer singing Morrison’s parts, and he shall forever remain one of Kilmer’s most iconic roles. The movie was decried by many for painting an inaccurate picture of Morrison, but everyone praises how well Kilmer brought Morrison’s body language and voice back to life.
4
Moses
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
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The Prince of Egypt is arguably DreamWorks’ most underrated animated movie. It tells the Biblical story of Moses’ fateful interaction with God and the eventual exodus of Hebrews from Egypt. Moses was found by the queen of Egypt as an infant and raised as a prince and as a foster brother to Ramses, the queen’s son and the heir to the throne. When an adult Moses realizes his Hebrew origins, he flees the country.
Soon after, Moses is contacted by God, who asks him to go back and free the Hebrew slaves and lead them away to Caanan. The stunning animated sequences, from the plagues to the parting of the sea, make for a memorable viewing experience. Moreover, Val Kilmer’s soulful and passionate voice acting as Moses is unforgettable. He brings out the desperation in Moses’ voice, and the inflections help convey how caring the prophet is. Even though the heartfelt songs aren’t sung by him, Kilmer’s performance as Moses is one of his career’s highlights.
3
Doc Holliday
Tombstone (1993)
Western movie legend Robert Mitchum voiced the role of the narrator in Tombstone, which is one of the most expansive and influential films in the genre. It changed the way Westerns were written and filmed, and continues to inspire filmmakers today, over three decades later. Tombstone evokes some of the greatest Western movies that came before it, while introducing a modern flair.
Val Kilmer also played Wyatt Earp nearly two decades later, in Wyatt Earp’s Revenge.
Kilmer plays Doc Holliday in Tombstone. Holliday is the secondary character, but Kurt Russell, who plays Wyatt Earp, made his role smaller to give Kilmer the stage to shine. His performance as Doc Holliday was praised by critics and fans of the genre. The poignant portrayal of the gambling gunslinger with a drinking habit is Tombstone‘s highlight. It may not be his most iconic or famous character, but Val Kilmer’s role of Doc Holliday is perhaps his career’s best performance.
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Bruce Wayne/Batman
Batman Forever (1995)
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Yes, Schumacher’s Batman movies are tonally inconsistent and struggle to maintain the balance between campy and gloomy, but it’s a cult hit that fans of the Caped Crusader love revisiting. Even if you dislike the film, no one can deny that it’s a wild and experimental ride that feels refreshing to watch, especially in today’s world, where both action and superhero genres are oversaturated with formulaic films.
Batman Forever isn’t a great movie, but Val Kilmer, at the height of his career, gave us a Batman that deserves more love.
Moreover, Val Kilmer is one of the best Batman actors ever. He has the build and appearance of Batman, and the easygoing charisma of Bruce Wayne. Wayne’s emotional core is also well portrayed by Kilmer, and it’s a shame he was a difficult actor on set, because I wish he and Schumacher would have gotten along and given us more. Batman Forever isn’t a great movie, but Val Kilmer, at the height of his career, gave us a Batman that deserves more love.
1
“Iceman” Tom Kazansky
Top Gun & Top Gun: Maverick( 1986 & 2022)
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When one mentions Val Kilmer, it is impossible not to immediately think of his role in Top Gun. Nicknamed Iceman for his icy demeanor and big ego, Tom Kazansky was one of the few US military pilots to be sent to the Top Gun school. A driven and hardworking pilot, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to graduate at the top of his class and cannot wait to be deployed on a real mission.
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Kazansky regularly clashing with Tom Cruise’s Maverick is one of the highlights of Top Gun, as the two actors play off each other rather well. Val Kilmer’s dashing smile at the end when Kazansky tells Maverick, “You can be my wingman anytime.” is one of the actor’s best moments on screen. Val Kilmer and Iceman are so inextricably linked to Top Gun that Tom Cruise refused to do the sequel without Kilmer reprising the role, even if for a few short scenes.
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