From Iceman to Iceman, the late Val Kilmer’s career offers a masterclass in one of storytelling’s most powerful tools: the compelling character, writes Dr Erin O’Dwyer
If you’ve seen the original Top Gun, you’ll remember Val Kilmer as Iceman: lean, cocky, and impossibly cool. But even playing the idol, Kilmer’s Iceman is nuanced – he’s principled, disciplined, and an exacting pilot. It was a break-out performance that heralded Kilmer’s true talent. And the first of many memorable roles.
As Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993), Kilmer turned a B-grade Western into an unforgettable film. Kurt Russell, playing Wyatt Earp, should have been the movie’s star. But he was overshadowed by Kilmer’s brooding, maddening portrayal of his dying, drunken character.
Kilmer also became Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991) – another ho-hum movie but worth watching just to see Kilmer dance in leathers and cheesecloth.
This week, to commemorate Kilmer’s death on 1 April, Netflix will no doubt spit out an array of other Val Kilmer classics – The Saint, Willow, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang with Robert Downey Jr. Each is a tribute to his extraordinary range.
My personal favourite? Heat (1995) – from writer/director Michael Mann. Kilmer holds his own playing a convicted criminal against Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Jon Voight and his on-stage wife, Ashley Judd. Kilmer says very little in the movie – everything is in his smile, his movement, and his delivery.
In Heat, Kilmer says very little – everything is in his smile, his movement, and his delivery.
Kilmer’s fading star – ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
Life wasn’t kind to Kilmer. He gained weight, lost money, battled throat cancer and ultimately lost the ability to speak. He appeared in only one movie between 2006 and 2022, when he reprised his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick.
His final on-screen appearance is brief and affecting. I sat through the whole thing just to see him, right towards the end. He is older, heavier, bloated even. He is on screen for less than three minutes, has about eight lines of script and his voice had to be digitally altered in post-production to improve the clarity. But his performance is worth the wait. He is wounded, dignified, fragile, human. And still with a sense of humour.
There’s strength in the way Kilmer shows up for that film. Not as the ageing star clinging to youth (hello Tom Cruise!). But as a man willing to be seen for who he was.
He’s no longer the hero, or even trying to be. And his vulnerability makes him more compelling than any hero ever could be.
Why compelling characters matter in storytelling
In my storytelling training, I teach the principle of the compelling character.
Compelling characters are the emotional anchors of any story, drawing audiences in.
They may be interesting, funny, quirky or likeable. Think of Tom Hanks’ character in Forrest Gump. They can also be dark horses or troubled human beings.
All of Kilmer’s roles are what I would call compelling characters – including both his Iceman portrayals.
This principle applies to all forms of storytelling, be it memoir, fiction, screenwriting, podcasting or brand storytelling.
If your characters are too shiny or too good to be true, your audience will see right through them.
Three questions to ask when building your story
If you’re developing a story – or any kind of narrative – ask yourself:
- Who are the characters in my story?
- How will audiences connect with my characters – either positively or negatively?
- Are my characters compelling – are they charismatic, vulnerable, flawed, or real?
If your characters are too shiny or too good to be true, your audience will see right through them. And if your characters aren’t compelling at all – then audiences will have no point of connection.
What Kilmer’s career teaches us about storytelling is that the characters who stay with us are the ones who let us see beneath the surface.
