What Val Kilmer Taught Us: 3 Career Lessons & 1 for Life
- Jessica M. Graham
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
I love Val Kilmer. I came home from middle school in 1985 and tuned in to ABC Afterschool Specials. That day's movie was about drunk driving, and there he was. He was brilliant and beautiful, and I was hooked. I saw all of his movies (most multiple times), bought the posters, and followed stories in magazines. I wanted to be an actor when I was in school, and so Kilmer's talent was my holy grail. As I - and technology - got older, I followed him religiously on social media.
I woke up in the wee hours this morning to find out we'd lost Kilmer to pneumonia at the too-young age of 65. It's hard to describe the impact our idols have on our lives, especially those we encounter as kids. I'm devastated, and those close to me know it. I've gotten so many calls, texts, and social notes today, reaching out to let me know they care.
As I think back on the incredible performances of Kilmer's career, and we look at his life (which we have a lot of insight into, thanks to his book and documentary), we see that there are powerful lessons we can take from his journey.
Hone your craft.
Kilmer, the youngest actor admitted to Juilliard's Drama Division at the time, was an acting genius. He was undeniably an incredible talent, and that enabled him to overcome quite a few challenges along the way. Kilmer honed his craft not just through training but also through total immersion—an artist who saw acting as a calling, not just a career.
It's a great lesson. Go all in - whatever you decide to do for a living, and strive to be the best. And continue learning and developing throughout your career.
Be entrepreneurial.
While he's best known as an actor, Kilmer was an incredible entrepreneur. He wrote and directed, authored his memoir and co-created his documentary, and opened HelMel Studios for his art - just to name a few of his projects. Kilmer wasn’t just an actor—he was a builder of stories, platforms, and products. Whether through his roles, his writing, or his art, he constantly found new ways to shape and share his creative voice. He took risks throughout his life. It certainly seems as though these ventures filled his soul, and of course, they helped him financially.
We should all take a page from his book, and look to hobbies, side hustles and community involvements to diversify our sense of purpose and possibility - not just our income. In a world that rarely follows a straight path, Kilmer's life reminds us that pursuing what lights you up isn’t just fulfilling—it’s also a smart, resilient career strategy.
Prized Possessions: Three of Kilmer's LOVE Paintings Manage your reputation.
Kilmer was notoriously rumored to be different on set early in his career. He managed his reputation by owning it and moving past it - he never denied it or fought it. He shared his vulnerabilities and took control of his narrative through his autobiography and documentary. He showed tremendous resilience and came to be known as deeply committed and passionate, and he shared his humor and artistry as he embraced social media.
Kilmer's crafting of his legacy is a masterclass in reputation management. Be authentic and proactively create your own personal brand. As you do so, think strategically about what matters most to you and the impact you want to have.
Don't smoke.
I read that Kilmer started smoking when he was eight. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015. There's no way of knowing if smoking caused his cancer, but it didn't help. And I think we can all agree his history of throat cancer would have contributed to his struggle with pneumonia.
Take this opportunity to stop smoking. It's a good reminder. The American Lung Association can help.
I didn't know Val Kilmer, but I like to think he would appreciate someone who loved his art in all of its forms and learned valuable lessons from him. I think the world is a better place because he was in it. 💕