What I Learned From This “Maverick”
I recently saw the movie Top Gun: Maverick and I loved it as much as I did the original Top Gun in 1986. I was thrilled to see the special role for Val Kilmer, an actor for whom I hold a special place in my heart, and one that has taught me a thing or two. I know that sounds pretty random, wondering what that might be and why Val, of all the actors in my lifetime? Here’s why.
In February of 2009 I had the opportunity to have a fun conversation with Val while attending the legendary Clive Davis party the night before the Grammys that year, which I also attended. (It was the year Adele won many of the awards). My husband, Ron, was an executive with Cisco at the time and was working closing with entertainment company AEG, so they sponsored our weekend at the events. We had just arrived at the party and secured two seats in a strategic part of the ballroom entrance, perfect for watching the celebrity guests arrive. After a few minutes, Ron left to find us drinks, and suddenly Val was standing next to me, asking if he could sit in the empty chair while he waited for his “two famous sister dates” to arrive. Playing it cool, I said “of course.” He extended his hand and said, “hi, I’m Val.” Playing it even cooler, I said “Hi Val, I’m Loretta.” Just as he began to unveil the names of his celebrity dates to me (can you guess who they were?) Ron returned with drinks and a big smile, teasing us about coming back “to find Val Kilmer chatting it up with my woman!”
Being a big fan of 60’s rock band The Doors, Ron immediately started chatting it up with Val, asking if he really sang all the lead singer Jim Morrison songs himself, (yes he did) and complementing him on the performance. Val then talked about his two kids (who are about the same age as ours) and how he was considering a run for Governor of New Mexico in 2010. (In fact, someone interrupted us in the middle of the conversation to shake Val’s hand and congratulate him on the pending announcement).
After a few minutes of the all-about Val conversation, he then asked us what we did and why we were there. Ron mentioned we were in the tech industry and working with AEG. Val then turned to Ron out of the blue and asked “why do you look so familiar to me?” At this point, I’m thinking, are you kidding? World famous Val Kilmer is asking my husband why he looks familiar tohim? What’s wrong with this picture?’ Val immediately added “hey, didn’t I just read about you in a magazine?” Again, I’m totally confused. Isn’t that what we are supposed to say to you?
As it turns out, Cisco and its CEO, John Chambers, had recently been featured in an issue of Fast Company regarding its approach to collaboration. Ron was interviewed as part of the article, and his picture was included. Once again, Val suddenly blurts out – “that’s right, I read about you in the Fast Company magazine about Cisco. Do you think what you’re doing will work for me with my Governor campaign? Can I give you my email address?” By now I’m wondering what is happening – is this for real? Is Val giving Ron his email address and asking him for advice? He proceeded to write his email on my cocktail napkin, handed it to me and asked “if I run for Governor, should I cut my hair?” Then swiftly said, there’s my dates, see you guys.” And he was off.
You might be wondering, what particular thing or two did I learn from this story? Nothing at the time. In fact, I remember thinking “he sure doesn’t seem to be the same heart throb from Top Gun and the Doors that I remember” (ok, that’s a bit polite; I’m sure it was much more judgmental than that.) I even remember chuckling at his plan to run for NM Governor (although I did read a lot in 2009 and 2010 about his pondering the run).
Then in September of last year, I read this People magazine cover article and my perspective changed. The article shared his journey with throat cancer, how he survived and how he now has to speak and eat as a result of his treatments. Most importantly, I learned that Val was not just another actor who made it big due to his good looks. On the contrary, he is formally trained – a graduate of The Juilliard School – and driven to act by a passion to honor his brother’s legacy after he died from an episode of epilepsy that caused him to drown in their family pool when Val was a young teenager. Val was one of three boys and the brothers would act out backyard plays for the neighbors, usually directed by his brother, when they were kids.
What was most impressive to me, is that as Val was building his acting career, he was an early adopter of the hand-held video camera and it became attached to him like an additional appendage. He began recording his journey as an actor, including creating some of his own audition tapes. Last year he released a documentary of his story, called Val, working in conjunction with his two adult children to produce (which I highly suggest viewing on Amazon Prime).
After watching VAL, I thought back to our chance meeting 13-years ago at the Clive Davis party. I still remember today the judgements that I created about him then, even as I shared my exciting story with friends. How wrong I had been! Never once did I ponder how inspiring, passionate, and talented this man is, even before his terrible cancer. Instead, I let myself create assessments that were just plain untrue. Now that Val has come through fighting for his life, and has demonstrated the important contribution he has already made in his 60+ years, I view him differently. I wish I could have seen that without having the story of his health ordeal be the reason that made me look again.
To finish where I began, I was thrilled to see Val playing that special role in Top Gun: Maverick. Only I think we all know the real Maverick of the story.
All the Best,
Loretta Stagnitto
