Remembering Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer

Miami Beach, FL – April 2, 2025 – Val Kilmer, the acclaimed and versatile actor known for his roles as Iceman in Top Gun, Batman in Batman Forever, and Jim Morrison in The Doors, has passed away at the age of 65.

“One of the most memorable days of my career was spent alongside Val Kilmer,” recalls WRE Founder, Seth Browarnik.

On the last day of Art Basel Miami Beach in 2017, while visiting the art fairs, Seth received an unexpected call at 9 AM from a slurred voice he couldn’t understand. The caller handed the phone to someone else, who revealed, “Seth, it’s Val Kilmer. He can’t speak anymore, he’s been out of the public eye for years, and he’s become an artist. He wants you to come photograph him.”

At that time, no one had seen Kilmer’s new artistic identity. He had been secluded in a room at The Betsy for nearly a month, fully immersed in painting. Seth arrived, beginning their photo session in the hotel lobby at a piano, then moving to the stairwell, and eventually spending hours in Kilmer’s room, talking and capturing intimate moments.

Kilmer, once one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, was now striving to be recognized as an artist, yet few knew about his work. In that quiet, creative space, an unspoken connection formed between photographer and subject—one of trust, transformation, and artistic expression.

As a token of gratitude, Kilmer gifted Seth one of his pieces, marking the encounter as one of the most profound and meaningful connections Seth had ever experienced behind the lens.

Val Kilmer & Seth Browarnik

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer