Actress recalls Val Kilmer turning up for 'The Doors' audition as Jim Morrison — no one even stood a chance

As Hollywood reflects on Val Kilmer's legacy following his death at age 65, actress Jennifer Tilly's story about the day she auditioned for "The Doors" is going viral. She posted a vivid snapshot of the presence Kilmer carried even before he stepped into the spotlight as Jim Morrison. Even in an interview with David Letterman (@Letterman) at the time, Kilmer described how he immersed himself in the role. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Tilly wrote, "A long time ago, I was auditioning for the movie 'The Doors.' It was kind of a cattle call. They paired together potential Jims with potential Pamelas. And they were running behind, so we were spilling out of the casting office, sitting on the porch, the lawn and the driveway."

She further wrote, "All of a sudden, a '60s convertible came screeching up, blaring 'Doors' music at top volume. And a guy jumped out and strode inside: He had wild hair and he was barefoot, shirtless and wearing nothing but a pair of tight leather pants. We all looked at each other like, 'Who is this guy?' We were more than a little shook by the sheer audacity of his entrance. Well, of course, it was Val Kilmer, and from that minute on, nobody else stood a chance. RIP King."

Kilmer went on to land the lead role in Oliver Stone's 1991 biopic "The Doors," while Meg Ryan played Pamela Courson. Tilly, who had an uncredited role in the film, never forgot that entrance. He reportedly sang 15 songs himself, working over the band’s master tapes, and learned dozens more in preparation for the role. His portrayal became one of his signature performances. Kilmer was not "particularly" a fan of the band before the film, telling Letterman he hadn't been familiar with their deeper catalog. He said, "Getting into the music was a lot of fun, and I wasn't familiar with a lot of it that wasn't on the radio. So that's what I did in preparation, mainly just learn all of the songs."

Many fans agreed with Tilly's post and expressed how unforgettable Kilmer was in the role of Jim Morrison. @kelsco17 shared, "I worked as an extra on 'The Doors.' I remember sitting in a theater when he walked onto the stage to film a concert scene. He sang live and truly embodied Jim Morrison. Everyone I was with was blown away by his performance. It felt like a real concert." Others remarked on how the image of Kilmer as Morrison left a stronger impression than the real-life singer. @AirCrow wrote, "I can't even picture what Jim Morrison looked like, but I damn well know what Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison looked like."

@Ladylaw31256058 added, "He morphed into Jim Morrison. One of the best performances I've ever seen." @MisterCapable1 listed his most iconic roles: "He will always be Jim, Iceman, Doc, Madmartigan, Simon Templar, and countless other great roles. I am grateful for the entertainment he brought me." @JennXTex said, "Thank you for sharing this. I think we can all picture this in our heads, and he owned that role." @lesshate255352 quipped, "Guess it's true there's no second chance to first impressions. RIP, sir."