Val Kilmer On Jim Morrison And The Doors | Letterman

Val talks about raising buffalo, playing the Lizard King and more.
(From "Late Night," air date: 4/7/92)
#valkilmer #jimmorrison #letterman
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Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. The language may strike you as quaint & flowery, the clothing comically lacey & ornate - but that’s how things were back in this colorful and now bygone era.

[@rubbersole79]

I read that Val sent the band (Doors) a demo tape of him singing 16 Doors songs. Keyboardist Ray Manzerick said on most of the tracks, they could not tell which one had Jim or Val singing. An amazing performance. Val Kilmer is a legacy performer. Absolutely no question about it.

[@jamesdriver7213]

Fantastic actor with uncommon charisma. He was the only actor who could have portrayed Jim. Too bad about the rest of the film.

[@d.shannon261]

WOW!

[@lesleyfahrenkamp711]

He’s one of the most underrated actors still around ….

[@ehLeanne311]

Ray was great at talking things up, I very much doubt that was the truth, even after the production of his vocals in the movie you can easily identify the difference, Jim Morrison had a distinct voice, not a natural singer he grew into it, basically starting as a 60s pop balladre, a kind of wispy, soft croon who could shout the high notes. He later developed a velvety smooth low vibrato and a talent for developing rhythmic phrasing by punctuating the vocal delivery of the song lyrics with strong emphasis constants rather than sustaining any vowels

[@brianmeen2158]

@@jamesdriver7213Kilmer also did a good job portraying John Holmes in Wonderland

[@commercialzone4141]

Val was BRILLIANT as Jim in the Doors.

[@Aurora_Tom_Renton]

problem is the movie was a terrible portrayal of JIM

[@lxdr1f792]

@@Aurora_Tom_Renton Jim was BRILLIANT as Val outside the Doors.

[@kipster67]

true but the story was a compete mockery of his life. for mine.

[@ericpendleton5849]

Every clip of Val Kilmer I see I'm going to remind people that he deserved the academy award for Doc Holiday in Tombstone.

[@liamgross7217]

And we’ll worth reminding people. Just brilliant

[@masterofsparkshwy6974]

"Why, Johnny Ringo, you look like someone just walked across your grave,...(cough)"

[@barrysmithjr2749]

Very True i dont understand or comprehend why he didn't even get nominated and such a good actor. Especially in Heat, he stole that movie

[@d.shannon261]

Indeed

[@mamarealtalk5850]

And you won't receive a quarrel. It was an exemplary performance.

[@AtyPical1313]

Val Kilmer is a special kind of soul. The documentary on him is special and he is not afraid to be who he is.

[@jeffk2278]

I'd never seen an interview with him. I like his sense of humor.

[@prophez23]

I live in Pecos New Mexico not far from Val's ranch. He's a great guy and a great actor. It's terrible that cancer has made it impossible for him to do what he's so good at.

[@WillChil466]

He still can. Some roles are gravel voiced men .

[@AnimalsRGreat]

My sister used to live in Santa Fe. Now lives in Albuquerque. I don't have the money to travel, but I visited her long ago and went to the Ballon Festival. She woke me up at 3:30am. It was a traffic jam. Some Ballons were already up in the dark. They looked like huge light bulbs!

[@lostintheclouds8719]

He could always do roles that are just all facial acting, no words. Like Robert Patrick in T2

[@kandyapple8573]

I feel the same way it broke my heart ❤️ for him I love him in top Gun, and Top Secret , Real Genuise , my heart goes out to him, it just ain’t fair to him that Cancer took that away his voice , now he can’t be who he was now unfortunately whenever he talks he sounds like he has marbles . All because his Tongue is swollen and I hope for his sake that it all return hopefully to normal soon .

[@Gorilla_warfare]

Agreed. He released a documentary about his life, and it’s heartbreaking. So sad

[@sarashaker6147]

For the good people here worrying about Val's health.. He's still alive and in remission from throat cancer.. He's recovering and still with us. our favorite huckleberry!

[@robindore258]

Tell Vall I wish nothing but the best and I love him in Tombstone he did such a great job playing Doc Holliday . 🥰 ❤️

[@sarashaker6147]

@@robindore258 I don't know Val personally but I'm sure he'll appreciate your words nonetheless

[@anchorpoint3631]

╔uﺢk his health. I lost respect for the guy

[@sarashaker6147]

@@anchorpoint3631how disgusting of you to talk about him and his health like that?!

[@duke8878]

Best Batman too

[@SpidersHandle]

One of the most underrated actors

[@tpstrato2270]

no he isn’t lol

[@ianmeadows8719]

​​@@tpstrato2270es he is you just don't want him to be 🤣🤣🤣

[@paulkline3011]

Underrated said no one ever. 😂

[@JOVONO]

@@paulkline3011 I hate that people have forgotten what underrated and overrated mean

[@CalumnMcAulay]

Yeah he deserved an Oscar for the JM performance

[@melissas9245]

Thunderheart is the movie that made me aware of Val Kilmer, and I have loved his movies ever since. I wish him peace and comfort

[@toddjohnson271]

Love that movie

[@annalisavajda252]

I first saw him in Willow his wife was his costar in that. Love him.

[@phoenixivyroots7084]

He was FANTASTIC as Jim Morrison. It's one of my fave movies! It's remarkable he didn't know the music, then could sing it like that. Wow! So impressive!

[@oscarsuarez4692]

One of my favorite actors. His roles in Real Genius and Tombstone are classic!

[@seanhuntsman7834]

Hey don’t Forget Top Secret! Ha ha classic spoof

[@oscarsuarez4692]

@@seanhuntsman7834 you right man

[@johnsheetz6639]

@@seanhuntsman7834 I was going to say that ! I remember there was a week that Hbo gave free cable! I sold that one and the thing

[@seanhuntsman7834]

@@johnsheetz6639 totally! Ha ha

[@Mateo-et3wl]

Real genius! Heavy rotation on HBO. I probably saw it 50 times before i made it out of elementary school

[@rdnkenki]

It's amazing how much Val looked like Jim

[@Dzanarika1]

Cousins!

[@WillChil466]

Bo, Jim had the tenderest mouth . Val looks like a naughty little voy More Matt Damon.

[@steph6498]

90’s val Kilmer is smooth af.

[@thecandyman9308]

To watch this interview is to see the world as it was in 1993: The coolest actor being interviewed by the coolest host as that interviewee acknowledges the band leader talking about the coolest rock biopic. We didn't know yet what world lay beyond.

[@dreamcatcher5502]

Yes, but it was 1992 🤔

[@klaasj7808]

1992

[@arriuscalpurniuspiso]

Paul was so happy to have that moment with Val

[@thecandyman9308]

@@arriuscalpurniuspiso 😎

[@unclematt3134]

One of the very few great actors to ever live. Doc Holliday was his crowning achievement.

[@WillChil466]

No, Mark Twain.

[@onlyiforgive5083]

At this stage he has tombstone and heat ahead of him , what a legend

[@nancyg.5482]

His acting for that character is still fresh in my mind while others are forgotten...he owned that role!!!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I just realized that this is maybe the only time I've seen Kilmer on a talk show.

[@oldstockwhitecanadian2492]

Val was absolutely amazing as Morrisson

[@LilAlpo1]

He was EXCELLENT.

[@paulkline3011]

Except that the surviving members of the Doors absolutely hated it. The keyboardist said he would have never been in a band with his version of Jim. 😮

[@sparkle1108]

The movie gives a one-sided view of Morrison, mostly missing the thoughtful collegiate side. Ray Manzarek said "Jim never threw a TV set at me".

[@lanemyer774]

Terribly underated actor. "Real Genius" will always be the movie I'll remember him most from, but he was amazing as Jim Morrison.

[@Hey_Blinkin]

Moles and trolls.

[@TheJimbo1791]

Damn right !

[@TrollHunterxXx]

It’s where I was introduced to Val Kilmer …. I think that was one of his first roles (don’t quote me) watched that movie over and over …used to own a yellow international order for gorillas yellow tshirt … lost it awhile back I’ll need to order another 😂

[@kwaggoner2494]

Love Val. Love the documentary "Val" narrated by his son Jack who does a great job. Such an American icon we should all cherish.

[@energyasylum997]

THE DOORS!! Val Kilmer WAS JIM MORRISON IN THAT MOVIE!! Imo, a top 5 bio-pic that's about the band and The Wild Child himself! Val WAS that character for sure! Wish Val well.

[@WillChil466]

He admired Brando and I think he was his idol. Both talented to the max and intelligent .

[@Shayler78]

Austin Butler did a good job as Elvis, and everyone makes a big fuss about how he sings the early Elvis stuff - but it's all studio pre-recorded. Val Kilmer sung/performed the concert scenes in The Doors live - that is a truly excellent performance, and Val didn't even get an Oscar nomination. He deserved an Oscar for his portrayal of Jim.

[@AdamsBrew78]

David Keith and Kurt Russel both did a far better Elvis. David was probably the best, in Heartbreak Hotel.

[@marsoblivi0n945]

Austin butler made that whole movie cringe asf.

[@arriuscalpurniuspiso]

Hollywood hated Val. Jealous of his gifts

[@fernandomaron87]

​@@AdamsBrew78I also think both were better than Butler, also Butler's movie is just a big montage without any plot at all.

[@brianmeen2158]

@@fernandomaron87 what exactly did you expect Butlers Elvis to be like ? I think it covered the basics of his life pretty well.. great looking movie too. I get why some complain that Butler looked a bit soft or feminine though

[@worstcasescenario5242]

He was amazing as Morrison

[@user-wq3vp7gz4o]

Best performance next to tombstone

[@codythomas1450]

Val Kilmer is a damn treasure and i always love watching his films

[@bonniewalker9421]

Val Kilmer was superb in The Ghost In The Darkness. So handsome too. My grandmother was a Eastern Band Cherokee Indian. I am a quarter Cherokee. Very proud of my heritage. My best friend of 50 years what’s a full blooded Lakota Oglala, Sioux from Pine Ridge Reservation.

[@lops-6672]

Val Kilmer did such a great job it was hard to tell whether it was really Jim Morrison or just an actor doing Jim Morrison. Really enjoyed the movie when I saw it in the theater here in Toronto. Never got to see the Doors in concert. There were only three rock groups I would have liked to have seen in concert. Van Halen, Pink Floyd and The Doors before they lost all their venues due to fears of rioting kids.

[@bluewendigo672]

You're definitely have a good taste for music 😎

[@MariaLima-vi8vg]

Oh my he was so handsome here and I really feel bad for the health struggle he has right now such a talented guy God bless him

[@edwardwilliams8238]

Should have won an Oscar for Tombstone, didn't. Should have won for The Doors, didn't. Tells you all you need to know about the Academy. Val Kilmer is one of the finest actors ever.

[@arriuscalpurniuspiso]

He should have won for Heat also

[@alexcika9906]

Scary how much he actually resembles Jim his voice and mannerisms

[@Dzanarika1]

They are cousins, do your research!

[@alexcika9906]

@@Dzanarika1 why should I boy when you just did for me !

[@alexcika9906]

Hmmmm ….nothing else Boy

[@_PrimetimePranks]

TOP SECRET was my favorite film of his!

[@uno3863]

I love Val.... Nuff said 😊❤️

[@large42]

He should have been at least nominated for an academy award for his unbelievable portrayal of Morrison.

[@Hardlyadayhardlyanight]

Kilmer is oozing charisma. What an interesting guy.

[@brianmeen2158]

Fo charismatic actors exist anymore? Doesn’t seem so

[@alexvaganova2175]

One of my favorite actors. Brilliant!

[@kevinskipp2762]

Weird that the film and this interview is now longer ago than Jim and The Doors were at the time.

[@TheJimbo1791]

I was just thinking about the same thing ! It´s kinda bizarre.

[@missingno88]

jim was only gone for about 21 years at this point

[@deecohen1383]

This is great. Dave is THE BEST. Val is a GEM in that role

[@seleenarian2111]

He's a fantastic actor. How he didn't win an Oscar for playing jim is beyond me. And thunder heart is a fantastic movie. Even his version of batman was so hot! 🔥

[@chesterlane3032]

Val Kilmer is well spoken for his role as Jim Morrison and now he's 63 years old now and I think he can make it to 64 years old

[@bluewendigo672]

He definitely got connected with Jim Morrison. In some spiritual way.

[@grahamthompson2594]

Val became Jim Morrison, and sang all the songs in the movie. One of the greatest performances in history.

[@KyloRen4238]

Val Kilmer Show 1. Man-E-Faces, The Borg - Robot Chicken 2014 Movies 2. Bravo - Planes 2013 3. Gallagher - Red Planet 2000 4. Doc Holliday - Tombstone 1993 5. Jim Morrison - The Doors 1991

[@jarekstorm6331]

I had that same haircut in the 90s! It didn’t look as good on me… 😆

[@dreamcatcher5502]

Love you Val !!! Great interview. A blast from the past 😍

[@ernestintownandjackintheco1024]

He did a great job with the Doors. It's a shame he didn't have a serious script.

[@coily7776]

100% agree..

[@endahynes8760]

Agreed 👍

[@kudus9235]

John Densmore in his book presented another point of view of this subject. According to his words, whole Stone's movie shows the absolutely false image of Jim Morrison.

[@hagestad]

@@kudus9235 BTW why would you play Jim Morrison if you can play his father. His father most likely started Vietnam War. That is way more important person.

[@TheJimbo1791]

@@kudus9235 Like Stephen King´s attitude for the Shining. Sorry John, we loved the movie and the image of Jim was portrayed magically by Val.

[@KyloRen4238]

Happy Birthday Val Kilmer. UR awesome legend. I love listening the Doors with my phone and Xbox 360. I never watch the Doors. Still. Red Planet is awesome and, Tombstone also. I love Cowboy movies, so does my old man. And Planes is amazing, my youngest brother loves Planes. Seriously! My dad loves the Doors. He told me, I look like Jim Morrison. Maybe I am. Maybe, his soul has reincarnated and lives inside of me. I love classic musics. Happy New Year's Eve, man. May the Peace be with U Val Kilmer. From Harlingen Texas. December 31, 1959 December 31, 2023 through December 31, 3023

[@gtoger]

Why is it that every time this channel posts an old interview with a celebrity I immediately think "oh no, what happened to ______"?

[@t23001]

GTOger, Hope you are doing well, sir!

[@RickHawkDavison]

It was a great movie "Thunderheart" I'm half native. I can't help but feel for Val and his health struggles. I pray for him and all Gods children. We live in strange times. Get right with God.

[@debralevine2869]

Amen

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Gods are man-made.

[@WeanerBeaner69]

​@@OMGWTFLOLSMHthank you. Someone with a brain

[@destroyrebuild]

"I'm your huckleberry.". I always liked Val. At his best he was a serious actor. I'm a Doors fan and though the film isn't entirely historically accurate, I think his interpretation of Jim is pretty great. He killed as Doc Holliday, one of my all time favorite performances on film.

[@ryanthrush8460]

Val Kilmer a wonderful person

[@lawrencerinehart5747]

People knew how Superbly Talented he was when they saw him In Top Secret! A Driven Artistic Actor.

[@22lilacsky]

REAL GENIUS!!!!!!

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

I had a couple of Lakota Indians come into my store. They were really friendly and I loved their long, beautiful hair. I realised that Hank Azaria's Indian voice is *spot on.* I saw his license and he was from South Dakota and his surname was YellowHawk. I didn't make a fuss, because I know he probably gets too much unwanted attention, but I would have loved to chew his ear. I really admire Native Americans.

[@ndnaf3705]

Aww! Thanks! We're good people too!

[@user-wq3vp7gz4o]

People say he is difficult to work with but I just don't see it. He seems like a really nice guy. One of my favorite actors hands down

[@deborahferguson1163]

Early on, he was(difficult), but then he changed, he became very humble.

[@APisceanSlant]

This dude...such a wonderful talent. Highly recommend watching his documentary. Proof, that life isn't always "fair"

[@DoubleRR44]

Most talented actor of his era

[@glennrich3640]

Forget Top Gun junk, Top Secret was his greatest achievement! And one of the greatest movies of all time!

[@wreckim]

Time plays such tricks on us. Suddenly from that interview and those years, we're here today in 2024....as if 5 minutes just passed by. Thanks for posting.

[@desertrose1226]

It’s horrible. I am facing 40, and feel about 16 inside.

[@Trancegirl1966]

I've had a crush on Val Kilmer since Top Gun! He is so handsome and slick in this interview...I'm wishing him the best of health since his cancer has robbed him of a normal life. ❤❤❤

[@mamarealtalk5850]

I loved him in Top Secret. 😍😍😍😍 What a hunk.

[@ponchobill72]

I remember thinking at the time, Jason Patrick would have made a fine Jim Morrison also. But Val nailed it!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

He should have won best actor for his The Doors performance and he wasn't even nominated. I gave up on the Oscars because of this. It's a complete sham.

[@mattjohnson7198]

He should have won an Oscar for best supporting actor for his portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone too. Probably the most under appreciated actor of the 90's.

[@percypercerton2125]

That role was, extraordinary.

[@masonteague4039]

Val Kilmer was great as Jim

[@sarashaker6147]

Omg thank you for sharing!! Please release all of your Val archives.. It's time!!

[@dreamcatcher5502]

YES !!! PLEASE DAVE 👏👏👏👏

[@me67226]

Who are you???

[@itsflowerside]

i love him, he was just saying anything

[@stevewise1656]

He played some of the most memorable roles of his generation. Don't forget him in Heat with Diniro and Pacino. Je stole that film. If only he hadn't smoked so much and taken better care of his health he'd been acting continuously over the years.

[@KCNYC]

I met Val on the set of Conan. His role as Jim wasn’t far off from his real personality.

[@yu1142]

Billy the Kid, Batman, Jim Morrison, Doc Holiday all rolled into one.

[@strengthandbulkMadness]

Feast of Friends is the real Doors movie.

[@hobodivine5776]

I won't lie, I was hoping there was footage of his buffalo gettin' on the good foot.

[@kstepko]

I loved seeing him in “Top Gun: Maverick”. They could have easily covered up his illness and speech loss with dubbing or deepfakes; instead he reprised the role as he is and enfolded those qualities into the character of Iceman.

[@DaneOrschlovsky]

As well he should have, his authenticity bleeds into his work.

[@itsflowerside]

they did use dubbing though

[@rogercoroner3176]

Top Secret.... one of my favorite movies...

[@user-di8hm2jl2u]

He was so brilliant. I was only 10 when the doors came out and it made me become a doors lover as a little tiny kid.

[@travelinben1966]

An academy award performance imo.👏👏👏

[@suzannek3493]

What a good looking man ! That smile is very enchanting indeed .

[@gregdahlen4375]

Felt I knew enough about Doors that I didn't see the movie although I probably would learn some things from it

[@Jerseygirl1999]

Don’t waste your time. That movie is made up trash.

[@majik_man]

Thunderheart was one amazing film.

[@jamesmccracken9323]

Val is a good actor but no one is Jim Morrison and without Jim Morrison being alive and someone learning him ,it can t be duplicated .

[@Katiedoodle1983]

Val played Doc Holiday, Jim Morrison, Mosses, and god in the same decade. Yet the guy never won an Oscar. Most underrated actor ever. Such a great actor.

[@rubedogg6969]

Val was excellent In Thunderheart as Ray Levoi.

[@onelove1968]

Loved Thunderheart.

[@jeremiahrose4681]

2nd favorite actor ever...such iconic roles.

[@dorisjohnson2933]

Watch him as doc hioilday pure marvellous

[@robertandthecavalry2062]

Ray Manzarek really disliked the movie, said it was nothing like Jim.

[@brianashley860]

Thank you Val for giving support to the Native Americans. We are praying for you

[@precbsfender]

Val nailed Jim Morrison.. brilliantly done..

[@marthahill1377]

Wonder why no one besides me thought Kilmer in man who broke a thousand chains was phenomenal.

[@bobbarker1593]

In my paradigm Jim Morrison plays Val Kilmer in a movie about windows.

[@catherinegigliotti1368]

My husband loved him as Doc Holiday...great 🎬

[@dizzy_derps]

When you all post these clips you need to put up an explicit warning that they celebrity in question is OK. Thanks so much.

[@ArtificialBanana]

Maybe there could be a color coded system.

[@genghis_connie]

He’s sort of a randomness machine. Wonderfully weird. He has a great sense of humor, awkward and unpredictable. Tragic to see him struggling now. Just awful.

[@billadkins5150]

What have you done?

[@genghis_connie]

@@billadkins5150 Who? I can’t even tell if OP is serious or joking in a way I don’t get.

[@wvusmc]

I like his sense of humor.

[@WillChil466]

Hecwas the Valentino of his time. Cut a wide swathe thru the ladies Longest was only 7 yr s And the div.was nearly as long . CA. is a bad state to get divorced in .

[@Genious.]

I was a little worried seeing this because my wife JUST said 'the actor you like from Heat is not going to be with us much longer' (Tom Sizemore) but then Val Kilmer pops up on here.

[@Long2556]

When Dave was singular on then TV in engaging people he had regards for, and man what a complete and decent person Val always was and is, as he here displayed, beyond what movie lovers already knew (that Val Kilmer was a great American screen actor).

[@publicspace234]

I still hear Jim Morrison’s voice in his tone here. I ended up falling in love with Val Kilmer-Jim and had to adjust to Jim Morrison-Jim in my teens.

[@michaelsheedy]

I saw The Slab Boys, off Broadway play in 70's NY. In it were a young Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, and Val Kilmer. You could tell back then that Penn was going to be top actor as he dominated the stage. Kilmer and Bacon certainly caught up over the decades.

[@jimbo8743]

I remember seeing Thunderheart back then, loved that movie 🎥 👍

[@bbb462cid]

I'd forgotten how funny Val is

[@me67226]

Loved Val Kilmer still do❤

[@GoldFaceFella]

Thunder heart is such a great movie

[@thinkforyourself828]

Incredible performance by Val Kilmer. I only wish that Oliver Stone would have used to the remaining Doors as consultants to make the movie more historically accurate.

[@martasatgo]

"musicians as you know are strange" 😆