Will Forte Opens Up About Living with Val Kilmer: “Life Was More Vivid with Him”

Comedian and SNL alum Will Forte recently paid heartfelt tribute to his late friend and MacGruber co-star, Val Kilmer, in an emotional piece for Vulture. In his tribute, Forte shared surprising and intimate details about his time as Kilmer’s roommate, offering a rare glimpse into their unique friendship, which lasted for nearly three months in the early days of their collaboration.

Kilmer, the iconic actor best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, Heat, and Tombstone, tragically passed away at the age of 65 due to pneumonia earlier this week. He made his final film appearance in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his beloved role as Iceman. Kilmer’s legacy as one of Hollywood’s most captivating and diverse talents has left a lasting impact, and his relationship with Forte was no exception.

Forte, who worked alongside Kilmer in the 2010 film MacGruber—based on the Saturday Night Live sketch and directed by SNL’s Jorma Taccone—expressed his excitement when Kilmer agreed to join the cast. For Forte, Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone was one of his “favorite characters from movies of all time,” making the opportunity to work with him all the more special.

In the interview with Vulture’s Rebecca Alter, Forte recalled how Kilmer instantly put everyone at ease on set, recalling a particularly memorable moment when Kilmer took off his shirt and handed it to Forte after the comedian complimented it. “This is yours now,” Kilmer told him, further cementing his generosity and laid-back nature.

The two stayed in touch after filming wrapped, and things took an unexpected turn when Kilmer asked if he could stay at Forte’s place due to a dispute with his landlord. What was intended to be a brief stay turned into two and a half months of cohabitation, during which the pair lived together in what Forte likens to a real-life version of The Odd Couple.

Forte shared one particularly amusing and poignant memory from their time living together: returning home late at night to find Kilmer sitting in the dark, reading a book by the light of a miner’s headlamp. Kilmer had been preparing for his one-man play about Mark Twain, and Forte said it was “very special to get to see that from its early incubation period into what it grew to be.” On another occasion, Kilmer showed up to record commentary for 30 Rock dressed as Twain, complete with facial prosthetics, a mustache, and a wig—having just walked around Santa Monica in character as the famous writer.

Beyond acting, Kilmer’s quirky personality extended to other aspects of his life. Forte shared how he and Kilmer nearly participated in The Amazing Race together, with Kilmer convincing him it would be a great experience. Unfortunately, their managers and agents shot down the idea, leaving Forte to reflect that not doing the show with Kilmer is the “biggest regret of his career.” Still, he added, “I think we would’ve gotten out very quickly, but it just would’ve been the experience of a lifetime.”

The piece is filled with touching and humorous anecdotes from that strange and memorable period of their lives. Forte described Kilmer as “the most unique person” he has ever met, calling him “the most interesting person in the world.” “Life is more vivid when you’re hanging out with Val,” Forte said, expressing how much he cherished their time together.

In his conclusion, Forte reflected on his immense gratitude for getting to work with Kilmer, despite the brevity of their professional collaboration. “I didn’t know if I was going to get that lucky to get to work with him again. I settled for being his roommate,” Forte quipped, a testament to the deep bond and friendship they shared.

As fans and colleagues mourn Kilmer’s passing, Forte’s tribute serves as a beautiful reminder of the legacy the actor leaves behind—not just in his iconic roles, but in the lives of those fortunate enough to know him personally.