Cowboy Poet Madman Outlaw: Selected Poems 1987-2020

by Val Kilmer

Cowboy Poet Outlaw Madman : Selected Poems by Val Kilmer, 1987-2020 Val Kilmer

Genres: Poetry

99 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2021

About the author

Val Edward Kilmer was an American actor. Initially a stage actor, he found fame after appearances in comedy films Top Secret! (1984) and Real Genius (1985), and later in the military action film Top Gun (1986) and the fantasy film Willow (1988). Kilmer gained acclaim for his portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's The Doors (1991).
Kilmer starred in a variety of films, including the western Tombstone (1993) and the crime dramas True Romance (1993) and Heat (1995). He portrayed Batman in Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever (1995). He also co-starred opposite Marlon Brando in The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) and went on to appear in The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), The Saint (1997), The Prince of Egypt (1998), Alexander (2004), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), and The Snowman (2017). In 2022, Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, marking his final film performance.
In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer. He subsequently underwent a tracheal procedure that damaged his vocal cords, leaving him with severe difficulty speaking. He also underwent chemotherapy and two tracheotomies, and died of pneumonia in 2025. In 2020, he published his memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir. The 2021 documentary film Val, which chronicles his health struggles and career, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim.
Recognized as one of the best-paid actors of the 1990s, Kilmer's films grossed over $3.7 billion worldwide. In 1992, film critic Roger Ebert remarked, "if there is an award for the most unsung leading man of his generation, Kilmer should get it."

Reviews

[Courtney]

Still unsure if I like poetry or not. But I know I like Val Kilmer.

[Gina Zappa]

I've taken to just carrying this book around with me...so I'm "that girl" now I guess. While reading this I've been randomly opening it to a page and letting the universe pick the right words for me to read for the day, and it's been quite fun, and kinda spot on! This collection of poetry ranges from hopeful, funny, and sad to introspective, really a kaleidoscope of emotions. It's made me giggle, especially the poem about acting class as I went to performing arts school, it's made me feel the all too relatable longing to have someone to share your life with. I guess, overall, it's just made me *feel*, and isn't that what we want the most when we pick up a book? I was just as smitten with this collection as I am with the man himself, and that's saying A LOT haha

[Alexander Gates]

Beautifully presented collection of Val Kilmer’s poems released in conjunction with the must-see documentary “Val” from A24. The calm greens and blues of the book and typeface compliment the poetry inside. It’s a meaningful look into his mind at various points in his life- the dates and locations allow the reader to understand which movie or play was being focused on while writing. It’s a must read for any fan of Val’s work and life.

[Sarah Caldwell]

This is gorgeous in every way. The poems are little shots of beauty to be read out loud and revisited time and time again. The book itself is published by A24 in soothing shades of green with a lovely fabric cover. Praise is included from Cher and Robert Downey Jr with a foreword from David Mamet. Even the About the Author right at the end is adorable.

[Pratima]

I'm always 50/50 on poetry - some of the poems made no sense, others just felt bad, but there were a few that really took my breath away and so I would maybe read it again someday!

[kenzie hampton]

“all the great poets were cowboys”

[Jack Diener]

I’m starting to feel like Poetry isn’t for me. The most I’ve ever fallen asleep during a book and it isn’t even 100 pages.

[Möwgli Skräp]

🌵🏜️🤠🤍

[Fefe]

Very cute and interesting but I had to fight not to fall asleep

[Erin Ballengee]

a coincidence that I just got this the other day :(

[Krystal]

For I have, and before this,
One or two times died
My matter is settled. From here a different dream begins
I dance back home in the wind.

[Allyson]

Val has always been a beautiful artist and poet as well.

[victoria gd]

overall, too many God ref for my liking, but really enjoyed a few poems!

[Ima Vonnegut]

Best Poetry I’ve read
Apart from Eliot
…
These poems hit the soul.

[Zoë Westlund]

Some points were really strong, and other points felt like he was using a thesaurus to write his poems. Not to mention some of the icky ones about women. But I definitely think it’s worth reading if you’re a fan of Kilmer!

[Jules Bazenet]

Eh. So a man (ew) put his "whimsy" on some pages. Good luck, readers.

[Melissa Vizcarra]

Val Kilmer, your mind… I do not get it, but I feel it