The Reality TV Show Val Kilmer Desperately Wanted to Star In—And Why It Never Happened

Reality TV has long been a haven for actors looking to revive their careers or regain a sense of relevance in the public eye. Many veteran stars and fading celebrities have turned to the genre, drawn by the combination of nostalgia, easy exposure, and, for some, the opportunity to get back in front of a massive audience. Yet, for Val Kilmer, his interest in reality TV had little to do with money or a career resurgence—his motivations were far more personal and rooted in the spirit of adventure.

Kilmer’s career trajectory may have been less than glamorous following his peak in the 1990s, but the actor was far from inactive. Between 2003 and 2013, he appeared in a staggering 45 films, a total nearly double that of his earlier decades in Hollywood. While many of these films were forgettable, Kilmer continued to pursue diverse roles, demonstrating his desire to stay active and engaged in the industry. Among these projects was MacGruber, a quirky film that, despite its box office failure, would go on to develop a cult following—one of its most famous proponents being none other than director Christopher Nolan. The film’s success, though small in mainstream terms, led to an unexpected friendship between Kilmer and the film’s star, Will Forte.

It was during this time that Kilmer proposed an idea that would surprise fans of both stars: he suggested that he and Forte join forces to compete on The Amazing Race. Premiering in 2001, The Amazing Race had already become one of reality TV’s most popular and enduring formats. The show pits teams of two against each other as they race around the globe, completing challenges in different countries along the way. The idea of Kilmer and Forte—two actors with no previous reality TV experience—on the show was an enticing one, but unfortunately, the plan never came to fruition.

Recalling the moment, Forte shared his excitement at Kilmer’s proposal: “At a certain point, he said, ‘Will, you and I have to go do The Amazing Race. We have to. Let’s do it.’ I’m like, ‘I am so fully in.’ We got really excited about it.” The two actors were so thrilled about the idea that they called their respective agents to make it happen. But their enthusiasm was met with a swift and firm rejection. “There’s no way you guys are doing that,” their agents told them, effectively squashing any hopes of the adventure ever taking place.

In the world of reality TV, celebrities entering the fray is not entirely uncommon. Mike White, the creator of The White Lotus and writer of School of Rock, competed in The Amazing Race alongside his father in 2009, finishing in sixth place. But Kilmer and Forte would have brought an entirely different dynamic to the show. The pairing of the seasoned, eccentric Kilmer with the offbeat humor of Forte would have made for a compelling watch, even if their journey was destined to end prematurely.

For Forte, the missed opportunity remains a painful regret. Reflecting on what could have been, he stated, “That is, maybe to this day, the biggest regret of my whole career, that I never did The Amazing Race with Val. I think we would’ve gotten out very quickly, but it just would’ve been the experience of a lifetime.”

Although we will never get to see Kilmer and Forte race around the world together, their brief fantasy of joining The Amazing Race serves as a reminder of how even the most unconventional of pairings could have brought an exciting and refreshing dynamic to the reality TV landscape. It’s a missed chance that both actors would undoubtedly look back on fondly, but it also reflects Kilmer’s enduring spirit of adventure and his desire to embrace new, unexpected challenges—even in the later years of his career.