Val Kilmer was one of the most versatile actors of his time. Sadly, the movie world lost him this week at the age of 65. But that gives us no better time than to revisit some of his most defining roles: Nick Rivers, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and one that truly blew the doors off: Jim Morrison. 1991’s The Doors might have the greatest Val Kilmer performance of all, playing the doomed lead singer of the titular band in a way that feels unmatched in the realm of biopics. So how did he pull it off?

Val Kilmer became a full-blown chameleon to play Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors, immersing himself in the music, style and vibe of the singer, who died in 1971. Part of this involved spending half a year ensuring he would nail that trademark Lizard King vibe, losing weight to match Morrison’s bony chest. According...