Val Edward Kilmer[State of California. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. Lists his birth name as simply "Val." At Ancestry.com] (born December 31, 1959) is an American
actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer became popular in the mid-1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films, starting with
Top Secret! (1984), then the cult classic
Real Genius (1985), as well as blockbuster action films, including a role in
Top Gun and a lead role in
Willow.
During the 1990s, Kilmer gained critical respect after a string of films that were also commercially successful, including his roles as
Jim Morrison in
The Doors,
Doc Holliday in 1993's
Tombstone,
Batman[) Batman (Val Kilmer) - Batman Wiki] in 1995's
Batman Forever, Chris Shiherlis in 1995's
Heat and
Simon Templar in 1997's
The Saint. During the early 2000s, Kilmer appeared in several well-received roles, including
The Salton Sea,
Spartan, and supporting performances in
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,
Alexander and as the voice of
KITT in
Knight Rider.
