Val Kilmer

**Val Edward Kilmer** was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California. He began his acting career on stage before achieving fame with roles in comedy films such as _Top Secret!_ and _Real Genius_. Besides comedy, he showcased his versatility in numerous film genres, including the military action blockbuster _Top Gun_ and the fantasy film _Willow_. Kilmer's critically acclaimed portrayal of Jim Morrison in _The Doors_ and his tenure as Batman in _Batman Forever_ further cemented his reputation in Hollywood. Despite being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 that caused severe speech difficulty, Kilmer remained active in the industry. He even published a memoir titled _I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir_ in 2020 and was the subject of the documentary film _Val_ in 2021. This film provided an intimate look into his health struggles and career trajectory. Throughout his decades-long career, Kilmer’s movies have grossed over $3.5 billion at the worldwide box office, establishing him as one of the best-paid actors of the 1990s.