I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir

I really enjoyed this book, an autobiography of the actor Val Kilmer. Everyone knows someone like him, the kid with an irrepressible energy mixed with wry wit and not a small bit of mischief. If he had been ten or twelve years older he would have made a really great Tybalt in the 1968 Baz Luhrmann film, Romeo and Juliet. As it was he’s played numerous roles which showcase both his talent and his wit. And, having graduated from THE Juilliard School, he might have turned down the role of Tybalt for many more complex and exciting roles. As he gets older I'm waiting for him to turn back to theatre and to reprise his earlier Richard III.Before I read this book I’d thought of him as just another actor, mostly hype, a cocky stuffed shirt. But in this book he expresses much more about himself than just acting, especially about his background, relationships, dreams and weaknesses. Also until I read it I’d not realized just how much theatre and singing that he’d done. And talking. Endless talking.Concerning the singing and the talking, there is good deal of pathos in the circumstances of their curtailment. One of the things one loses with throat cancer is their singing voice and most of their vocal energy. During the height of the struggle they don’t miss these as much, since there are more important things like eating and breathing. But later when they assess their losses their character shines through. I salute the fact that if this book is at all accurate it shows that he has found his middle way between the anger, self pity, resignation, despair, hopelessness intrinsic to that struggle.The book brings out much other information such as that as a rancher he has worked doing manual and farm labor. Also he has a very well thought out religious viewpoint so, despite his earlier rambunctiousness is not hopelessly enamored of the Hollywood lifestyle.I was surprised at the role of religion and spirituality he described, equally surprised that he came across as not ashamed, dogmatic, haughty nor irrational about it. The cynical modern generation needs to see more role models who maintain their contact with the universe. Rather than preaching on and on about it he merely describes how it demonstrates itself throughout his life.All told, before I started reading this book I vaguely liked his acting. Now I see him as a real 3-D person and not a flickering image on a screen.

I fell in love with Val Kilmer the very first time I saw him in movies. Even movies critics called B movies or flops to me were great becuase he was in them and brought such a life and spirit to it. He is such a talent, a gift, an artist, poet, storyteller. He grips you with the very first sentence and keeps you captivated throughout the book. I bought a few copies to gift to friends and family. Thank you Val, for sharing yourself with the world.

Val Kilmer did a good job of telling his life’s story. He did not write/tell in any particular order and with the mingling of events it was, at times, difficult for me to “follow along”. Maybe that could be part of the charm and entertainment of it, though. He devoted a good bit of time/volume to his faith – Christian Scientology – in a manner of explaining that it has always been a part of his life. I found that to be very interesting. I dropped this book to four (4) stars because I thought too much of the time/volume was devoted to the (famous!) women he has dated/befriended/loved. Maybe those relationships really are that much of who he is. I would hope not. Otherwise, I got the sense he was being very genuine and truthful about his life. The takeaway in one word: SINCERE

I have been pretty disappointed by autobiographies in the last couple years, y'all know which ones I mean. I met Val briefly at a Comicon cuz I am a big ole nerd. I was taken aback because I did not expect the changes that illness left behind. I wiped the WTF off my face and went up to get my autograph. I had so many questions but just asked one, are you ok. I got super warm smile and a head nod. This book answered all my questions and more. It is funny, and thoughtful and smart and sometimes a little sad. I say little cuz that stuff was not happening to me and I don't really know him. However I do not think he was going for very sad, he comes off very yeah I had some fun, stuff happened, here is what I learned about me and all the things. I have always been a fan of Val's work but now I am a pretty big fan of his life. I like to walk in other peoples shoes. It makes my own seem less one of a kind and like something I could share with others, like bowling shoes. There is nothing mean or vain or lacking humanity in this book. Mistakes were made, magic happened, life came at its own pace and time. There is something for everyone to relate to inside this work of words. Go buy it and maybe find out something about Val, and the person next to you and maybe even yourself.

I have never been much of a fan of autobiographies...but Val Kilmer was my last major celebrity crush and I admit I bought it out of curiousity, regard, and support. From the first page I was taken aback. His writing was eloquent and just flows. I had no idea the hot hunk with luscious lips I saw on screen was so incredibly deep, and genuine. It was courageous because he was raw and honest and let you see all of him. It was soulful because unbeknownst to me he is clearly a very soulful person with an abundance of love in his heart. Redeeming to me because his acting lost its appeal for me after the Island of Dr. Moreau. Hearing him describe the experience, and that he disliked it as much as I did was redeeming. My greatest take away after he described is experiences on different films is that if I saw all films through the eyes of the actor it would probably be an entirely different experience. I will of course now be re-watching some of his films to experience it the way he described it. I am delighted he has peace and is doing what he loves. A delightful read that completely surprised me. I may read more autobiographies now.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Val Kilmer as a writer... I have always admired him as an actor, so I thought at least his book should be interesting. As it turned out, once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. His writing style is as eclectic as the various characters he has brought to life on screen. Well worth the read. Now I have even more of a crush on him than I already did.

He writes surprisingly well and is a good story teller. Funny, insightful and spiritual.This guy has moxie!

Una masterclass de amor al arte y a la vida. Me lo he leído en dos días, se lo recomiendo en especial a todos los aspirantes a actores. Sin duda es una lección de vida. Si ya era fan de Val Kilmer antes de leer este libro ahora lo soy mucho más.

The great actor opens up for telling the world about his life and art. It's amazing and sometimes like a fantastic story. You can read it again and again, looking his movies and in the and you are in the experience of eternal love. WHAT A MAN AND DIAMOND IN THIS WORLD! Thank you, Mr. Kilmer !

I read this book during the lockdown and finished it within a couple of days. This wasn’t because the book is short - at over three hundred pages it certainly isn’t. I just couldn’t put it down.The book itself is nicely presented. Under the red dust jacket, the hardcover edition is nicely finished in white with embossed lettering in gold.Kilmer’s story starts off with a health scare while he is living at Cher’s guesthouse. Here, we get a sense of how his illness has impacted his life as well as changed his outlook. It then chronicles his early family life, influences and theatrical training, recounts his experiences on stage and film, details his romantic life, friendships and love for his children, before taking us back to present day and his current situation. The book gives us an update on his recent projects, and the realization of a long-held dream.There are many interesting revelations along the way, most notably regarding Marlon Brando and The Doors’ producer Paul Rothschild.What’s most surprising, and ultimately rewarding about the book, is that it’s a deeply spiritual and artistic account of Kilmer’s life. It’s more than just a memoir.If I was to be critical at all, there could have been more detail about his experiences on set and possibly less about his romantic encounters, but that’s a personal preference of mine rather than a fault of the author. The photos being presented in black and white, rather than colour is another very minor drawback, but doesn’t detract from the overall experience of reading it.All in, I found the book to be very entertaining, with Kilmer’s good humour throughout.