In 1977, while Val Kilmer was just beginning his acting studies at Juilliard, his younger brother Wesley died at the age of 15 after suffering an epileptic seizure and drowning in their father’s hot tub. The loss left a deep emotional mark on the entire Kilmer family.
Growing up in Chatsworth, California, with his two brothers, Val had always felt a strong connection to his family, but Wesley’s unexpected death changed everything. In his 2021 documentary Val, the actor described that painful moment, stating that their family was never the same again. The grief lingered for decades, quietly shaping Kilmer’s outlook on life and creativity.
The passing of Val Kilmer’s brother, Wesley
Val Kilmer’s brother, Wesley, was not only a sibling but also an inspiration. Val said he was a genius with a promising future in filmmaking. Wesley had dreams of directing movies and was already experimenting with storytelling before his untimely passing. Val believed that Wesley could have rivaled the greats, like Steven Spielberg or George Lucas, had he lived.
Even after finding fame, Val carried Wesley’s memory with him. He occasionally used Wesley’s name as an alias, once checking into a New York City hotel under it. When questioned about the gesture, Val replied by saying it was a great name and a family name. The response reflected how close Wesley still was to Val’s heart and identity.
Grief, creativity, and moving forward
The emotional toll of Wesley’s death affected every member of the Kilmer family, particularly their father, Eugene. Val once shared that he didn’t feel grounded again until two or three years after. For their father, however, life after Wesley’s passing was even more difficult, and he died in 1993, carrying the weight of that grief.
Though painful, Val did manage to keep his brother’s memory alive. He had Wesley’s artwork all around him and frequently shared childhood pictures with his siblings on social media. In interviews, Val talked about Wesley with awe and fondness, stating that he was still amazed by what his brother might have been.