The Casting Journey for *Top Secret!*
In the autumn of 1983, my brother Jerry, Jim Abrahams, and I faced considerable challenges while casting our film, *Top Secret!*. Despite our efforts, each audition with various actors proved unsuccessful. Fortunately, our casting director, Susie Arnold, unearthed a promising young talent from an off-Broadway play entitled *Slab Boys*. Intrigued, we promptly flew to New York to see Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn, and a lesser-known actor named Val Kilmer. Although the specifics of the play elude my memory, Kilmer’s presence and performance were compelling enough to invite him for an audition in our offices located at the Gulf & Western building on Central Park South.
A Memorable Audition
During his audition, Val delivered an exceptional reading, but it was his spontaneous rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Turn Me Loose”that truly sealed the deal. His comedic timing was evident; he instinctively grasped the humor within the script, making it clear that he was the perfect fit for the role.
Courtesy Everett Collection
Challenges on Set
Filming took place at Pinewood Studios in London, involving an entirely British cast and crew. Despite Val’s evident dedication to his role, we often found his moods unpredictable, making it challenging to ascertain which version of him would appear daily. At times, he appeared uneasy in the skin of his character, Nick Rivers, the fictional rock star.
Reflections on Character and Experience
Years later, Jim Abrahams and I would look back and chuckle at how we had cast a Juilliard-trained actor in a whimsical film involving a cow in boots. As untrained writers, we recognized that in our journey, we had overlooked the importance of crafting a robust character with a clear narrative arc. In his recent autobiography, *I’m Your Huckleberry*, Val expressed his ongoing confusion regarding the film’s plot, indicating how the slightly absurd nature of the project might have impacted his engagement with the role.
A Pivotal Connection
Initially, I found it challenging to connect with Val during the first couple of weeks of filming, attributing this disconnect to his seemingly darker demeanor. However, everything changed one evening at a gathering at Jerry’s flat in Chelsea. As we sat side by side, quietly observing the festivities, I jokingly remarked, “I hate everyone!” To my surprise, Val’s face lit up, and he responded with a beaming smile: “Dude!” In that moment, we formed a genuine bond.
Life After *Top Secret!*
Throughout the years, I would occasionally cross paths with Val at various events, from parties to our shared attorney’s office. He consistently displayed a gracious demeanor, a refreshing contrast to the typical Hollywood attitude. During our last encounter about a year ago outside my home, where he had rented a place nearby, I noticed he was not in the best health. We talked briefly, and I was taken aback when he expressed shock at my exclusion from the upcoming sequel to *Naked Gun*. I had collaborated on a script, *Naked Gun 4: Nordberg Did It*, with talented writers Mike McManus and Pat Proft, who had worked alongside Val on *Real Genius*. Yet, I learned that Paramount had entrusted the franchise to Seth MacFarlane.
A Fond Farewell
My reaction was one of disbelief, but Val’s response was surprisingly light-hearted, reflecting on the industry with humor: “That’s Hollywood!” Sadly, Val Kilmer passed away on Tuesday from pneumonia in Los Angeles at the age of 65.