
Kilmer’s personality was unique, often perceived as challenging yet intrinsically linked to his artistic prowess. He valued his work deeply, yet never let it become excessive; he exhibited intensity, yet balanced it with an eloquence that bordered on poetry. This duality made his absence felt profoundly by those who grew up watching him, even though for many years he took on less prominent roles. In 2014, he bravely battled throat cancer and, although he survived and could still speak, he had to relearn the art of shaping words. Despite periods of relative inactivity, Kilmer remained a figure who lingered in cultural memory. Occasionally, you’d stumble upon a remarkable performance from the ’90s by him, and be struck anew by his effortless skill, as if his finely tuned talents were a jest to him.