Val Kilmer

He was initially cast in the part and was excited about playing the Mormon church founder, but had to back out due to other acting obligations. Truth being stranger than fiction sometimes, Bela Lugosi was buried in his full Dracula costume, as per the request in his will, in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California. Recently, Kilmer was in negotiations with Richard Dutcher (God's Army, Brigham City) for the lead role in his 2005 film Prophet: The Story of Joseph Smith. He was also the subject of a song by gothic rock band Bauhaus entitled "Bela Lugosi's Dead". Many comment on his great enthusiasm, high intelligence, and dedication to both the roles he plays and the projects he is involved with in general, although the adjective "eccentric" continues to surface in descriptions of the actor. Instead he was listed as a guest-star, below Tor Johnson, Vampira and Kenne Duncan. Kilmer is regarded as "difficult" by some in the industry, such as directors John Frankenheimer (The Island of Doctor Moreau) and Ron Howard (Willow). Frankenheimer reportedly became so angry that he had Kilmer physically escorted from the set, later commenting "At my age there are two things I will never do, climb Mount Everest or work with Val Kilmer ever again!" Many others who have worked with Kilmer consider him a gifted, dedicated artist with whom they would be happy to work again. Contrary to Burton's Ed Wood, Lugosi did not receive top billing for Plan 9.

They have two children, daughter Mercedes and son Jack. Wood hired his wife's chiropractor to double for Lugosi, who is easily spotted by the fact that. The two met while working together on the film Willow. However, Lugosi died three years before the funding came through (from the Baptist Church of Beverly Hills, no less). Kilmer's ex-wife is Joanne Whalley, an actress and former lead singer of Cindy & the Saffrons. Wood had had great difficulty in financing the project, and was only able to shoot short, silent scenes that he planned to incorporate into the whole of the film once he had found the remainder of his funding. Caruso also lost a brother in a tragic accident. Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space featured footage of Lugosi interspersed with a double who looked nothing like him.

Caruso explored the theme of loss together in their film release The Salton Sea. One of Lugosi's most infamous roles was in a movie that was released after he was dead. J. (The role was later given to Kenne Duncan, and the shots of that production made their way into Wood's Night of the Ghouls, a sequel of sorts to Wood's previous Lugosi films.). Recently, Kilmer and director D. The script for Final Curtain, written by Ed Wood, was in his lap. When Val was 17 and just about to start study as the youngest student ever admitted to the Juillard School of Fine Arts in New York, Wesley tragically drowned in the family's own swimming pool. He died of a heart attack, aged 73, in Los Angeles, California, while sitting in a chair.

Born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Kilmer is one of three sons born to Gladys and Eugene Kilmer, the others being older brother Mark and younger brother Wesley. Because Lugosi appeared in B-Movies, he was featured in several episodes of the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000, most notably, Bride of the Monster. In a 2002 film, he plays Danny Parker, a jazz trumpeter who infiltrates a group of crystal meth addicts and becomes one himself in an attempt to avenge the senseless death of his wife which they caused. The biographical film Ed Wood, by Tim Burton, portrayed Wood's relationship with Lugosi, who was played by Martin Landau. Kilmer is known for roles as diverse as the Elvis-like teen idol Nick Rivers in Top Secret! to real-life legends Billy the Kid, cultural hero Robert Elliot Burns, and rock idol Jim Morrison, to larger-than-life characters Bruce Wayne/Batman and Simon Templar, the Saint. Ed Wood, a long-time fan of Lugosi's, offered him numerous roles in his films, always playing some variant of a mad scientist/vampire type, even in movies — such as Glen or Glenda — in which such a role made no sense. Val Edward Kilmer (born December 31, 1959) is an American actor considered by fans to be one of the most talented and underappreciated actors currently working in film and television. Late in his life, he again got to star in movies, albeit lousy ones.

A License to Steal (2005). Later on, the acting jobs dried up and he became addicted to morphine, though he did get to recreate the role of Dracula one last time for the film Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein in 1948. Delgo (2005). Lugosi's attitude towards Karloff is the subject of contradictory reports, some claiming he was openly resentful of Karloff's long-term success and ability to get good roles beyond the horror arena, while others suggested the two actors were - for a time at least - good friends. Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang (2005). Several films, such as The Black Cat and the aforementioned Son of Frankenstein paired Lugosi with his chief rival in the realm of horror movies, Boris Karloff. Alexander (2004). He also had a small role in the comedy classic Ninotchka opposite Greta Garbo.

Mindhunters (2004). He declined an offer to appear as The Monster in Frankenstein but made an impression as the insane Ygor in two sequels, Son of Frankenstein and Ghost of Frankenstein before finally consenting to play the creature in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man. Spartan (2004). The film was a success, but Lugosi was typecast as a horror heavy with such movies as White Zombie and Scared to Death. Wonderland (2003). He was most famous for his title role in Tod Browning's Dracula (1931) (building on the stage role). The Salton Sea (2002). He left from his native Hungary for Germany in 1919 after persecution following his complicity in the forming of an actor's union, and emigrated to the United States in 1921.

Run For the Money (TV) (2002). During World War I he served as an infantry lieutenant for the Central Powers. Pollock (2000). He however, became most notably known for his portrayal of Dracula in a stage production of Bram Stoker's classic vampire story. Red Planet (2000). Lugosi started his acting career on the stage in Europe in several Shakespearean plays. Joe the King (1999). He was born in Lugos, Transylvania, Austria-Hungary (now Lugoj, Romania), the youngest of four children of a banker.

At First Sight (1999). Béla Lugosi was the stage name of actor Blaskó Béla Ferenc Dezső (October 20, 1882–August 16, 1956). The Prince of Egypt (1998). He covers his face with his cape in every shot. Africa Unbottled (TV documentary) (1998). He looks nothing like Lugosi. The Saint (1997).

The Ghost & the Darkness (1996). The Island of Doctor Moreau (1996). Heat (1995). Batman Forever (1995).

Dead Girl (1995). Wings of Courage (IMAX) (1995). Tombstone (1993). True Romance (1993).

The Real McCoy (1993). Tis Pity She's A Whore (Joseph Papp Public Theatre, New York) (1992). Thunderheart (1992). The Doors (1991).

Gore Vidal's Billy the Kid (TV) (1989). Kill Me Again (1989). Hamlet (Colorado Shakespeare Festival) (1988). Willow.

The Man Who Broke 1000 Chains (TV) (1987). The Murder in the Rue Morgue (TV) (1986). Top Gun (1986). One Too Many (TV) (1985).

Real Genius (1985). Top Secret! (1984).