Val Kilmer

Guide Note

Val Kilmer is an actor born in Los Angeles, California who made his start as a trained stage actor. He eventually transitioned to film acting, and became well-known after his role in 1985's Top Gun, starring opposite to Tom Cruise. He grabbed attention with his detailed performance as Jim Morrison in The Doors. As was the case in The Doors, Kilmer is known to prepare meticulously for the characters he plays.

Fast Facts

1. Born: December 31, 1959
2. Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
3. Often studies his roles carefully, living like the characters
4. Attended high school in Chatsworth, California with classmates Kevin Spacey and Mare Winningham
5. Was the youngest student admitted to Julliard's drama department
6. Wrote and starred in the play, How It All Began
7. "Iceman" in Top Gun (1986)
8. Is the new voice of KITT for the Knight Rider revival

Kilmer was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. He was accepted at age 17 into Julliard's drama department, at the time making him the youngest student ever to enter the program. Kilmer made use of his stage training, writing and starring in the play How It All Began, which was performed in 1981 at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He would soon go on to act in various television commercials, and eventually make his big-screen debut in the 1985 spoof comedy, Top Secret!.