In the mid-80s, Val Kilmer was that guy. Any new movie that he was in that dropped, people flocked to see. He played dick swinging heroes and villains with equal charisma. We knew him as Chris Knight in Real Genius, a teen science comedy that was simultaneously a critical darling. He starred opposite early Scientology Tom Cruise as Lt. Iceman in Top Gun and played cocky mercenary Madmartigan in the cult classic Willow.
Later, he used that broody charisma to become the caped crusader himself in Batman Forever and wooed Elisabeth Shue as Simon Templar in The Saint. You could cut glass with those cheekbones!
In the aughts, however, our man faded into obscurity, starring in mostly under the radar films. Kilmer's most memorable appearance is in the SNL digital short, “Best Friends,” where he sang as a “brilliant lunatic” with Katy Perry and Matt Damon.
Since then, Kilmer has appeared in The Spoils of Babylon and transformed into Mark Twain for a one man show about the famed author. While he has a small role in Terrence Malick’s recently released Song to Song, Kilmer’s most memorable role as of late is on Twitter.
In the past 24 hours, Kilmer bestowed us with a gem of a Tweet—one that’s he’s since deleted—about how he created rap, which sure! “A lot of people don't know this: I use to write a lot of poetry in the 70's. Then I moved to New York. And rap was born. You're welcome.” And the accompanying photo is priceless.
He joined Twitter in August 2013, and the social media platform has never been the same. Kilmer’s a must follow on Twitter (his background is a personalized Louis Vuitton pattern!), so here are some of our favorite “Kilmerisms,” which will forever change your life as you know it. (We swear we aren't exaggerating).
He is the Selfie King. Suave, Val. Suave.
BTW, did you know the guy is an abstract artist?
And he doesn’t miss the opportunity to be punny.
And guys, the man has feelings. Don’t pick on our boy Val.
But of all his tweets, Kilmer’s short stories with other celebrities are the stuff of Twitter gold.
For instance, Val Kilmer once tickled Lou Reed...
He was a little jealous that Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page played with his girlfriend’s hair.
He surprised Angelina Jolie with a jet full of flowers.
And was brought to tears because of 50 Cent.
He fanned out on Bob Dylan.
And whispered sweet nothings into Bridget Bardot’s ear.
He was invited to a party thrown by Winona Ryder.
And got all weird on a plane ride to see Cate Blanchett.
You can be our huckleberry, you sweet Twitter Monarch, you.
