Val Kilmer’s world as an artist goes far beyond his famous major role. In addition to his Hollywood stardom, he gained fame for his iconic roles like Iceman Top Gun Bruce Wayne Batman is foreverthe late actor’s mysterious career included work as both a visual artist, playwright and activist. But perhaps his most unknown effort was the poet.
Kilmer was a poetry writer for most of his adult life, and began to acquire form in his 20s when he studied at Juilliard School in his 20s and when his acting career began to take off quickly. His writing grew in the 60s, and was promoted from the last 33 years to 2021, and possibly from pneumonia until his death in 65.
“Poetry is a very subjective and intimate expression,” Kilmer once said. “It’s literally your heartbeat. Your rhythm. Your soul song. It’s very concentrated. It’s a thick part of yourself.”
During the release of his two early Hollywood blockbusters in 1987, Top Gun and willowKilmer self-published a collection of titles for his poems My editor after burns. The original press was thousands of copies. Kilmer reportedly handed it to friends and family as a Christmas gift and remained available for sale. According to Bookride.com, Kilmer quickly decided to buy all the unsold copies and store them in the garage. They stayed there, but many were gradually dispersed.
Kilmer is described as deeply personal, introspective and often philosophical, and a poem that writes about the themes of love, death, spirituality, and his experiences in Hollywood. One poem My Eden after burns, The title “The Pfeiffer Howls at the Moon” is dedicated to his ex-girlfriend, Michelle Pfeiffer. Kilmer’s celebrity of love included his relationship with Cher, Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie and his former wife, Joanne Holy. These women were probably muses for Kilmer’s work.
today, My editor after burns Given the small number of copies in circulation and the fact that its contents are a window into the inner world of Hollywood’s major stars, it stands as a sought-after collectible. On Amazon, the first edition of the collection costs $3,500. If that’s a bit sudden, fans of those interested in Kilmer as a poet can also pick up Cowboy Poet Outlaw Madman: Selected Poems by Val Kilmer, Which distributor A24 was published to accompany Vala 2021 documentary about the actor’s life.
That obvious documentary follows Kilmer’s battle with throat cancer, and examines the childhood death of his brother Wesley, his eight-year marriage to Holy and his relationship with his two children. These loved ones and challenges were huge aspects of Kilmer’s complex and multifaceted life. His poetry, visual arts and of course, his work as one of the most acclaimed actors of his time was undoubtedly inspirational.
