Val Kilmer wasn’t just an actor for all of us, right? He was like a force of nature. A man who didn’t just play characters but became them, leaving pieces of his soul on the screen every single time. With his passing in 2025, we lost one of the greats, but his performances? They’re immortal.
Here’s a tribute to the roles that made us laugh, cry, and sit in stunned silence, the ones that proved, again and again, that Kilmer was pure magic.
Val Kilmer delivered many iconic performances in Western cinema historyGetty Images
1. Doc Holliday – Tombstone (1993)
"I’m your huckleberry."
Oh, Doc. The way Kilmer slid into this role like a knife between the ribs was nothing short of perfection. Witty, tragic, and dripping with Southern charm, as Doc Holliday, he stole the damn movie. That smirk, that cough, that lethal elegance: Kilmer made us believe in a man who was equal parts poet and killer.
Kilmer’s portrayal of the legendary gunslinger remains one of the most captivating performances in Western cinemaInstagram
Why it’s iconic:
- Kilmer played Holliday as a tragic yet charming figure, balancing both wit and vulnerability.
- The role became one of his most critically acclaimed performances, with many considering it his best work.
2. Jim Morrison – The Doors (1991)
"I am the Lizard King. I can do anything."
Kilmer didn’t just channel Morrison. The swaying hips, the slurred poetry, the raw, untamed energy of a man burning too bright, he ‘became’ him. He sang every song himself, and the result was so hauntingly real that you’d swear Morrison had possessed him.
Kilmer didn’t delivered a performance so eerily accurate that even The Doors’ band members were stunnedInstagram
Why it’s iconic:
- Kilmer performed all the singing himself. Yes, that hauntingly accurate voice was all him!
- His commitment was so intense that he reportedly needed therapy afterwards to shed Morrison’s persona.
3. Iceman – Top Gun (1986) & Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
"You can be my wingman anytime."
That cocky grin. That effortless cool. Iceman was the rival we all secretly rooted for because Kilmer made him impossible to hate. And when he returned in Maverick, older, wiser, his real-life battle with illness echoing through the screen? That wasn’t acting. That was just heart.
From cocky rival to a poignant, full-circle moment in Maverick, Kilmer’s Iceman was the soul of Top Gun’s legacyInstagram
Why it’s iconic:
- Iceman wasn’t just a rival, he was ‘the’ rival, the guy you hated to love.
- Kilmer’s final scene in Maverick was deeply moving, mirroring his real-life battle with throat cancer.
4. Batman – Batman Forever (1995)
"It’s the car, right? Chicks love the car."
Kilmer’s Batman was brooding, intense, and tragically underrated. Sandwiched between Keaton’s gothic hero and Clooney’s… well, Clooney, his take was a perfect balance of Bruce Wayne’s charm and Batman’s darkness.
Brooding, intense, and often underrated—Kilmer’s take on the Caped Crusader balanced Bruce Wayne’s charm with Batman’s darknessInstagram
Why it’s iconic:
- He mastered the duality of Batman and Bruce Wayne, something not all actors have managed.
- His departure from the franchise left fans wondering what could have gone wrong.
5. Chris Shiherlis – Heat (1995)
"For me, the action is the juice."
In a film stacked with legends, Kilmer still stood out. As a thief on the edge, he brought desperation, loyalty, and sheer intensity to every frame. That downtown shootout? Pure adrenaline, and Kilmer was the beating heart of it.
In one of cinema’s greatest heist films, Kilmer’s Chris Shiherlis was a thief with depth, loyalty, and raw intensityInstagram
Why it’s iconic:
- Heat features one of the greatest shootout scenes in cinema history, and Kilmer played a crucial part in it.
- His dynamic with De Niro added a lot of emotional depth to an already intense film.
Bonus, because, it is Val Kilmer
Gay Perry – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
"Look up ‘idiot’ in the dictionary. You know what you’ll find?"
"A picture of me?"
"No! The definition of the word idiot, which you fucking are!"
Kilmer’s comedic timing? Flawless. As the sarcastic, no-bullshit detective Gay Perry, he and Robert Downey Jr. created one of the funniest duos in film history. This role proved Kilmer could do anything: even make us snort-laugh in the middle of a murder mystery.
With razor-sharp wit and impeccable comedic timing, Kilmer’s Gay Perry stole scenes and redefined the buddy-cop dynamicInstagram
Why it’s iconic:
- His chemistry with Robert Downey Jr. was electric, making every scene an absolute joy to watch.
- The film became a cult classic, in part because of Kilmer’s hilarious and sharp performance.
The legacy of a chameleon
Val Kilmer was beyond just an actor. He was a presence. Whether he was a rock god, a gunslinger, or a caped crusader, he made us believe. And now, as we look back, one thing’s clear: Hollywood won’t see another like him.
And if you haven’t seen his documentary, Val (2021), do yourself a favour. It’s a raw, beautiful goodbye from the man himself!
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.