Val Kilmer Reveals the Role He Took Just to Hang Out With Legendary Director Werner Herzog!

Val Kilmer’s career has always been defined by his willingness to take risks, challenge expectations, and pursue creative opportunities that push beyond the ordinary boundaries of Hollywood stardom. From his iconic performances in The Doors to Heat and Top Gun, Kilmer has never been one to settle for a conventional career path. But perhaps one of the most surprising chapters in his career came when he took on a small role in a film largely for the opportunity to work with an auteur he admired—legendary documentarian Werner Herzog.

Kilmer’s commitment to creativity and curiosity extends beyond his on-screen work. In 2021, he released Val, a documentary about his own life, offering an unfiltered look at his personal experiences and giving audiences a side of him that had been largely misunderstood by the public. This raw exploration of his life not only showcased his talent but also his willingness to push back against the box that many had tried to place him in as an action star.

However, one of the most fascinating decisions Kilmer made in his career was his participation in Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans (2009). This film, which starred Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes, is a chaotic, dark tale of a police sergeant struggling with addiction and moral decay after a heroic act during Hurricane Katrina. The film marked a rare foray into fictional filmmaking for Herzog, whose usual body of work revolves around gripping documentaries that often take him to perilous corners of the world, capturing real-life human struggle.

But Kilmer’s motivation for taking part in Bad Lieutenant wasn’t driven by the size of the role or the script. Instead, it was Herzog’s reputation as a daring, boundary-pushing filmmaker that drew Kilmer in. “I did that small role because I love Nic Cage and I love Werner,” Kilmer confessed in a candid moment. “It was a great opportunity to hang out with Werner and watch him work, but there wasn’t even a role—their kind of made it up so we could hang out together.”

For Kilmer, the chance to work with Herzog was a dream come true, but it wasn’t about securing another standout performance or chasing a major role. He was simply eager to observe the maestro at work. “Werner is someone that I’ve always wanted to work with,” Kilmer added. “But I was just either foolish or conceited that I thought because we like each other he’s looking as actively as I am. And it doesn’t happen like that.”

Herzog’s reputation as a filmmaker known for his extreme commitment to storytelling, often going to great lengths to capture the most intimate, visceral moments, meant that any chance to collaborate with him—even in a limited capacity—was a rare opportunity. As Kilmer humorously noted, “Do you think Tom Cruise didn’t court these directors? He went after Spielberg!”

The role Kilmer took in Bad Lieutenant was indeed limited in scope, but his participation in the film has become a symbol of his willingness to prioritize personal connection and artistic curiosity over conventional career moves. His decision to step into a minor part simply to observe Herzog’s genius is a testament to Kilmer’s passion for creativity and his deep respect for fellow artists.

Kilmer’s career has been anything but predictable, filled with performances that range from the high-energy heroics of Top Gun to the deep, nuanced roles that reveal the complexity of his talent. But working with Herzog on Bad Lieutenant was a unique and deeply personal chapter, one that demonstrated Kilmer’s enduring desire to challenge himself and explore new horizons, even if it meant taking on a small, unsung role. In doing so, he became part of an unforgettable collaboration, and the experience undoubtedly enriched his artistic journey.

In an industry where stars are often boxed into specific genres or roles, Kilmer’s decision to work with Herzog simply to learn from him stands as a reminder that sometimes, the true value of an opportunity lies not in the role itself, but in the chance to engage with those who inspire us most. And for Kilmer, spending time with Herzog was undoubtedly the opportunity of a lifetime—one that had little to do with the script and everything to do with the art.