Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good? Let’s look at the outstanding career of Val Kilmer.
This past week, Val Kilmer passed away at the age of 65 due to complications from pneumonia. Kilmer had been battling throat cancer for the past 11 years, and it’s believed that the toll of his treatments may have weakened his immune system, making him more vulnerable to such illnesses.
Before his health struggles, Kilmer was a prolific and magnetic presence in Hollywood. He broke through in the 1980s with cult classics like Top Secret! (1984), Real Genius (1985), and, of course, Top Gun (1986). If the ’80s launched his career, the ’90s solidified his reputation as a serious and versatile actor. He delivered Oscar-worthy turns in The Doors (1991), Tombstone (1993), and Heat (1995), while also headlining blockbuster hits like Batman Forever (1995), The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), and The Saint (1997).
Val Kilmer’s final performance in Top Gun: Maverick (2022) was a poignant reminder of the talent that once lit up the screen with intensity, charm, and range. Though his career was cut short by illness, his legacy endures.
This week, we honor the ultimate wingman and our favorite huckleberry by counting down the ten best performances of the remarkable career of Val Kilmer.
10. John Patterson in The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
9. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun (1986)
8. Ray Levoi in Thunderheart (1992)
7. Elvis Presley in True Romance (1993)
6. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
5. Chris Knight in Real Genius (1985)
4. “Gay” Perry van Shrike in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
3. Chris Shiherlis in Heat (1995)
2. Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991)
1. Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993)
