Cover of I Am Your Huckleberry: The Memoirs of Fang Kimmer
On April 21, 2020, the famous American actor Fang Kimmer Val Kilmer published his first biography, "I Am Your Huckleberry: Fang Kimmer's Memoir I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir by Val Kilmer", in this 320-page memoir, Fang Kimmer not only tells a number of important roles he has played since the film, but also exploded his love history with his ex-girlfriend Cher.
In an interview with the media about why the title is "I'm Your Huckleberry," Fang Kimmer said the book's name was inspired by a line from the film tombstone Town/Breaking Bad Tombstone (1993), in which he starred.
When Fang Kimmer fell in love with his ex-girlfriend Cher, he was one of the gossip media's favorite couples to report
In the movie "Tombstone Town", he played the legendary American sharpshooter "Doctor" Hollyday (who was originally a dentist, so called "Doctor"), and had a decisive battle with the villain Johnny Ringo.
When Holriday stepped forward, he said, "I'm your Huckleberry." In old-style American Western slang, the phrase has the meaning "just come at me" and is said to have originated from the character of Huckleberry Finn in mark Twain's (1835-1910) novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Image of Fang Kimmer in the movie Tombstone Town
Fang Kimmer was born in The Chinese New Year's Eve Eve of new year in 1959 in The Clifford in the United States. He once humorously said, "This time was born, which makes me think differently about time than others." My year ended as soon as it started. I often complain that I was born at the right time to turn over the last part of the wall calendar. ”
Fang Kimmer spent his childhood at The Loy Rogers Farm in Catsworth, California, at the northern end of St. Fernando Canyon. His childhood was filled with what he called "Tom Sawyer's life." "Together with his older brother Mark and younger brother Wesley, he caught rattlesnakes, poisonous scorpions and tarantula poisonous spiders; raced the train through the Kaitzworth Tunnel; built a fire in a cave; climbed to the top of eucalyptus trees up to 45 feet high, and went to neighboring farms to visit hippies...
Promotional photo for the movie Top Gun (1986), Fang Kimmer
Later, his younger brother Wesley fell ill with epilepsy and drowned in his family's swimming pool at the age of 16.
When Fang Kimmer was 9 years old, his parents divorced, which left a huge trauma in his young mind. He said, "I remember I was very melancholy and withdrawn. If they say, 'We'll never quarrel again,' my childhood will surely leave me with fond memories. ”
After the divorce, several boys lived with their father, Jean. Jean was a seller of aviation equipment and died in 1993.
Stills from the movie Genius Strikes Back Real Genius (1985), Fang Kimmer
After his father's death, Fang Kimmer often regretted that he did not visit his father more, saying, "My father's life is really full of color." He grew up in a log cabin in the Apek Mountains, New Jersey. My grandfather was very poor, he used to pick cotton on a farm in Texas, but he could also play the violin, he built a log cabin on Indian land, and he had his own home..."
Fang Kimmer also admitted that his father, Jean, was an "eccentric and paranoid man." Because Fang Keimer liked Marlon Brando (1924-2004), he never went with his son to see films starring Marlon Brando.
The American Blu-ray edition of the film "Interceptor Demon Island" (1996) starring Fang Kimmer and Marlon Brando
Maybe It's because Fang Kimmer inherited this gene from his father that he became strange and unpredictable!
In 1978, at the age of 19, Fang Kimmer went to the prestigious Juliette School of Performing Arts in New York to study, becoming the youngest college student in the drama department.
Fang Kimmer's image in the film Laughing Through the Iron Curtain (1984).
After graduating from college, he began performing on Broadway. His wonderful acting skills gave him the opportunity to go to the screen. In December 1983, he took over the first film, Laughing Through the Iron Curtain/Oolong Secret Top Secret! (1984), which was a success.
Fang Kimmer was able to walk from the stage to the screen, and he has always remembered the cultivation of his alma mater and the teachings of his mentor Juliet: "There is no 'end' in art, there is never an end." In the film industry, Fang Kimmer is also as brave as ever.
Stills from the movie Laughing Through the Iron Curtain (1984), Fang Kimmer
In 1986, he starred in film star Tom Cruise, starring in director Tony Scott's (1944-2012) four-time Academy Awards nomination hit Top Gun (1986).
The theme song of the film, "Take My Breath Take my breath away", is a true emotional person, which plays an irreplaceable role in rendering the inner emotions of the protagonist, and it won the 59th Academy Award for Best Original Music.
Images of Tom Cruise and Fang Kimmer in the film Top Gun (1986).
The biggest contribution of the film is the complete popularity of Tom Cruise and Fang Kimmer, Tom Cruise's handsome style in the film, sunny smile and riding a big motorcycle in the sunset to accompany the melody of "Take My Breath", and Fang Kimmer also contributed his most handsome appearance in the film.
And his two re-collaborations of "Top Gun: Maverick" (2021) due to the epidemic, the screening time has changed again and again, and is currently scheduled to be screened globally on November 19, 2021.
Image of Fang Kimmer in the film Top Gun (1986).
Soon after, Fang Kimmer's acting career entered its first trough, although he also worked with several major directors during this time. He played the role of Matigen in George Lucas, written and supervised by George Lucas, and directed by Ron Howard in the magical blockbuster "Strangers of the Winds", which became a dud after its release.
Fang Kimmer also starred in Oliver Stone's The Gate The Doors (1991), playing rock and roll legend Jim Morrison, from appearance to vocals, at the age of 32, he interpreted Jim Morrison, who died at the age of 27, into three points, but unfortunately did not win the praise.
Image of Fang Kimmer in the film The Gate (1991).
In addition, he starred in Kill Me Again (1989), Billy the Kid (1989), Thunder Heart Thunderheart (1992), The Real McCoy (1993), True Romance/Romantic Storm True Romance (1993) and the TV film Billy the Kid (1993) and the TV film Billy the Kid of Gore Vidal 1989), but none of them screamed.
With so many unwatchable films, Fang Kimmer seems to have no place in Hollywood.
Fang Kimmer's image in the film True Romance/Romantic Storm (1993).
However, Fang Kimmer was not discouraged. He was active on the New York theater scene while continuing to look for opportunities in Hollywood.
In 1995, Warner Bros. began filming Batman Forever/ Batman 3 Batman Forever (1995), the third installment of the Batman series of heroic and riot-fighting batman films, with new director Joe Schumacher Joel Schumacher (1939-2020).
At the press conference of the film Batman Forever (1995), from left: Fang Kimmer, director Joe Schumacher, Nicole Kidman, And Tommy Lee Jones
When Michael Keaton, who starred in the second episode, refused to continue to play Batman, director Joe Schumacher chose Fang Kimmer, who he believed was full of charm and could play this black knight who was heroic on the outside but full of contradictions on the inside.
Fang Kimmer had seen Joe Schumacher one or two times before, and when he heard that he had recommended him, he agreed and signed a contract with Warner Bros. to star in Batman Forever for $60 million; in addition to two sequels, more dollars would roll in.
Image of Fang Kimmer in the film Batman Forever (1995).
The contract, in Fang Kimmer's words, "as thick as a phone book," is likely to be a rope that limits him.
Filming "Batman Forever", Fang Kimmer really suffered a lot. The film's location is set in the Great Karahali Desert of South Africa, which cannot be reached even by plane.
Throughout filming, Fang Kimmer was associated with pristine flora and fauna, and he didn't even shower for two and a half weeks, let alone live with his family.
But the most headache for him was to wear a special bat suit to shoot in the high temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which was extremely uncomfortable to wear after shrinking, could not see clearly, could not hear clearly, breathed hard, could not keep up with the thinking, and even the joints were inexplicably painful... After a series of hardships and hardships, the film was finally finished.
The film, with the addition of Jim Carrey, Tommy Lee Jones, Nicole Kidman, and Chris O'Donnell, made Batman Forever gross $337 million worldwide.
Stills from the movie Batman Forever (1995), from left: Chris O'Donnell, Nicole Kidman, Fang Kimmer
Looking at this movie now, the star cast and gorgeous props can't stop this movie from becoming a bad movie.
But for Fang Kimmer personally, his commercial value in Hollywood was reaffirmed, and he received the title of "the most handsome Batman" for the film.
Immediately afterward, Fang Kimmer participated in the filming of the action film Line of Fire/ Fire Strike (1995). The film is not only hot and intense, but also has a deep ideological connotation, and fang Kimmer is cooperated by two of the biggest acting superstars in the film industry, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
Image of Fang Kimmer in the film The Line of Fire (1995).
In the film, Fang Kimmer plays Klis, an accomplice of Nell Macaulay, the leader of the Los Angeles crime gang, who is not only a robber, but also a keen gambler, almost ruining the lives of his wife and children. Although Kris is a small character, Fang Kimmer still successfully portrays this character and fights a beautiful turnaround battle.
In his ups and downs, Fang Kimmer starred in films like David Lynch's Dune Dune (1984) and Blue Velvet (1986), Michael Mann's Manchael Mann's Night of Evil Manhunter (1986), films that would have made him famous or made him a lot of money.
Stills from the film The Wire of Thieves (1995), Robert De Niro (left) and Fang Kimmer
When asked why he refused to make these films, Fang Kimmer only smiled lightly, saying that he refused to shoot mainly because his wife had already taken over a film at that time.
People who have worked with Fang Kimmer have different opinions about him. Some people say that he is arrogant and arrogant, loves to be sarcastic and sarcastic, and some people say that he is friendly, humorous, and good at self-deprecation, but everyone generally thinks that he is serious and hardworking in filming, and he is very persistent about the acting career.
Image of Fang Kimmer in the film Genius Strikes Back (1985).
Tom Cruise, who co-produced Top Gun with him, said, "It feels good to work with him. He was quite intelligent and dedicated. ”
Michael Mann, the director who directed him to "The Wire of Fire," praised, "As long as you can imagine it, Fang Kimmer can perform." His cooperation with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro is wonderful. He works with an uplifting mood and works in order. ”
Stills from the film The Saints (1997), Elizabeth Sue (left) and Fang Kimmer
Elizabeth Suisabeth Shue, who co-produced The Saint (1997), said: "Fang Kimmer has a very strong spirit of beauty, and you will be infected by playing with him. You can see him fully engaged in filmmaking, which is very rare. ”
And Nicole Kidman, who co-produced Batman Forever, simply came up with a "rainbow fart" and called him "an actor of an actor.".
Image of Fang Kimmer in the film Interceptor Demon Island (1996).
Of course, there are also people who slander Fang Kimmer. For example, John Frankenheimer (1930-2002), director of The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), once said, "There are two things I will never do in my life: I will never climb Mount Everest, and I will never work with Fang Kimmer again!" ”
And Joe Schumacher, the director of Batman Forever, also humorously expressed his "thanks" to Fang Kimmer for helping him "two big favors". He said, "When I wanted him to play Batman, he said yes!" Then he made it impossible for me to play Batman anymore... I will always be grateful for this! ”
Image of Fang Kimmer in the film Saints (1997).
In 1996, Saints director Philip Noyce and screenwriter Wesley Strick Wesley Strick traveled a long journey to the location of Ghost and the Darkness deep in the jungles of South Africa to discuss the script for Saints with Fang Kimmer.
They felt that Fang Kimmer's life was completely isolated, a bit like Conrad, and had been localized.
At night, he holds a beer bottle in one hand, controls the steering wheel in the other, and drives a car with the writer and director on a wild trip around Africa.
Stills from the film The Saints (1997), Elizabeth Sue (right) and Fang Kimmer
He was driving at 50 miles per hour, when suddenly he braked the car because he could see the animal's shadow in the dark like a white hunter. He knows his surroundings inside out.
Screenwriter Wesley Stryker recalled, "... We sat in the back seat, our heads hitting the canopy from time to time. Fang Kimmer turned his head from time to time to ask me questions about the script. The next day I called my wife and she asked me, 'Have you seen any wildlife?' I said, see. 'There are giraffes, rhinos... But the craziest animal I've ever seen is Fang Kimmer! ’”
At the premiere of the film Alexander the Great (2004), Fang Kimmer and Angelina Jolie
In the 21st century, fang kimmer, who is in good shape, has gradually lost the conditions for playing the role of the "tough guy" he is best at. In 2004, his reunion with Oliver Stone became his last glory.
In Alexander the Great Alexander (2004), he played Alexander's father, Philippe, and his brilliant performance completely stole the limelight of the male protagonist Colin Farrell.
Because of that movie, Fang Kimmer also had a scandal with Angelina Jolie, an actress who was single at the time.
Stills from the film Thief, Beauty and the Detective (2005), Robert Downey Jr. (left) and Fang Kimmer
After that, he frequently appeared in some small-budget films. The most impressive is 2005's Kiss Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005).
In the film, he has many wonderful opponents with Robert Downey Jr., jr., who has not yet become "Iron Man". Only then could already be seen that his large belly and full of folds could be seen.
Fang Kimmer's image in the film Dual Identity (2009).
In 2011, fang Kimmer starred in double identity (2009), in which he and Isabella Miko collaborated for the first time, but they were both professional. In the film, there are large sections of the traveling doctor and the big guy woman who have a love affair at first and then linger.
As early as 2015, it was reported that Fang Kimmer had throat cancer, when he was photographed with a ventilator and a tracheostomy cannula around his neck, but Fang later denied the rumor and stated on Facebook that "nothing is true"
In 2016, Fang Kimmer also wore a tracheotomy sleeve around his neck
In the past two years, Fang Kimmer has been in the hospital many times because of laryngeal problems, and has received medication for a period of time, resulting in "puffiness", but has always strongly denied that he has cancer.
In April 2017, Fang Kimmer said he had been cured. But lost normal speaking function.
In addition to the movie, in addition to the scandals with Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ellen Barkin and other A-list female stars of various eras, Fang Kim's life is quite low-key.
Promotional photo for the film "The Gathering of the Storms" (1988), Fang Kimmer and ex-wife Joanie Willie
In the early 1980s, he moved away from hollywood glitz and settled in New Mexico, where he currently owns a 6,000-acre farm in a small town southeast of Santa Fe. He spends almost all of his spare time there, caring for a herd of bison.
In 1988, when Fang Kimmer starred in "The Gathering of the Storms", he fell in love with actress Joanie Willie Joanne Whalley, married on February 28 of that year, and gave birth to a daughter, Messiz, and a son, Jack.
Like his film career, Fang Kimmer's married life was not at peace. Many women were attracted to him, and he had had extramarital affairs, but his marriage was largely stable.
Fang Kimmer and ex-wife Joanie Willie
It wasn't until 1995, when Fang Kimmer and supermodel Cindy Crawford fell in love at first sight, and the two had been fighting each other, that Fang Kimmer's marriage boat began to run aground.
On February 1, 1996, Fang Kimmer and Joanie Willie went through divorce procedures. Since then, Fang Kimmer has never been married.
On divorce, Fang Kimmer wrote in his memoirs, "I got divorced on TELEVISION. Joanie Willie moved to Los Angeles and filed for divorce. I was working in the field. ”
Stills from the movie From This Moment to Sunrise Twixt (2011), with Fang Kimmer and Elle Fanning
He went on to write: "In Los Angeles, whoever gets this divorce certificate can put it in a computer file. Then it went in, maybe a nationwide network of computers. The news was in the local newspaper even before Jonny Willie arrived home. I met it on CNN. Fang Kimmer declared his divorce case "the second most expensive divorce in New Mexico."
What annoyed Fang Kimmer was not that his money had been split in half by Jonny Willie for divorce, but that the custody of the children was a matter of custody, for which the couple had to go to court. As a result, Fang Kimmer still lost custody.
Image of Fang Kimmer attending the campaign
Since then, on the day of seeing the children, Fang Kimmer and the driver have gone to pick up the children early in the morning. In his traveling room, littered with books and all sorts of toys, Fang Kimmer crawled around on the ground and had a great time with the children. As soon as 6:30 p.m., the babysitter came on time to pick up the child. Fang Kimmer hurriedly kissed the children goodbye and sent them to the car............
Fang Kimmer told friends, "I miss the kids so much. When Jonny Willie and I told them we were going to get a divorce, the children's faces... That was the worst I've ever seen, those two little faces... Experiencing death gave me the opportunity to understand the meaning of life more thoroughly, and this experience gave me the opportunity to understand the meaning of love more deeply. ”
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