Val Kilmer Once Revealed His Two All-Time Favorite Roles

Val Kilmer once opened up about the two roles he considered his favorites in his long and varied career. Speaking to Vanity Fair and the Associated Press, Kilmer revealed that playing Mark Twain in Citizen Twain held a special place in his heart.

Kilmer said he has long admired Twain’s storytelling, but it was the man behind the legend that truly fascinated him.

“Why Twain is so much fun to study—separately from his great literature—is that he was always concerned with truth and illusion. He was two different people. He had this character that he made up called Mark Twain, who is a shameless showman. He’ll do anything for money and anything for a laugh,” Kilmer explained.

His other top role was Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Kilmer, who started his career on stage, said performing live always had a unique thrill that film could not match. “You get tremendous feedback from a live audience that cannot compare from what you draw from a crew in a studio. On stage, you can find out in 30 seconds whether or not you are effective with your ideas. In a film, you have to wait for a year and a half,” he shared with the Associated Press.

Kilmer’s choices reflect the range of his career. While he is widely recognized for blockbuster hits like Top Gun, his love for stage productions and complex literary characters has shaped much of his craft. Twain’s focus on life’s truths and illusions and Shakespeare’s dramatic depth have influenced the way he approaches storytelling both on stage and on screen.

Kilmer’s reflection highlighted the value actors place on roles that challenge them and allow them to explore the human experience. His admiration for live performance versus film work also underscores the unique dynamics of theater acting.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!