Val Kilmer wants to be New Mexico's top gun?!

Val Kilmer, one of the better working actors who has never received recognition from the academy — not for "Top Gun" (1986), "The Doors" (1991), "Tombstone" (1993), "Heat" (1995) or any of his other roles — now seems poised to seek it from a different body of voters: the good people of the state of New Mexico.

New York Post columnist Cindy Adams reports that Kilmer, 48, shared the news with her this week by cellphone from Bulgaria, where he is filming a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller "North by Northwest" (1959). She writes that he told her:

"There's sort of a rumor around that I'm maybe thinking about running to be governor of New Mexico? Well, it's sort of true. It's been my home 25 years. I really love my state. Poor, hardworking, decent people — Native Americans, carpenters, artists, expats mixed in with hundreds of the world's smartest physicists at Los Alamos. I've always thought of myself as functioning as a candidate for them."

"The media interests me and it's influenced politicians since the '60s, and I'm approaching this as a worthy serious endeavor. I would be very comfortable in my position as a representative for the people."

"People in the state are being supportive. Our current governor, Bill Richardson, who's hoping to be picked as secretary of state, and whom I've seen down in the dirt helping people you know could never help him in return, and whom I love, had a dinner for me and said not to dismiss the idea. Said I could be a great governor."

"After I wrap this film, I'm off to LA to see my kids then home to New Mexico to talk to friends and see what they say. I know I'm not yet qualified for the job. It's not like I need fame. If that's what it's all about, I wouldn't live in New Mexico. But I don't want to be a train wreck. I have to see if people will put up the money for my run. I have to think about putting my acting on hold. Being famous as a movie actor is one thing, but they take no prisoners in politics. I have to think what this might do to my kids."

My understanding is that if — and that's a big if — incumbent New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is, in fact, tapped for a Cabinet post in the Obama administration, he would have to resign his office and would automatically be succeeded by Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. Denish would then serve out his second term, which ends in 2011, so it would be quite awhile before Kilmer would even have a shot at the highest office in the 47th state.

I figured this development was worth sharing anyway because Kilmer actually sounds quite serious, and because in the post-Ronald Reagan era of Sonny Bono, Jesse Ventura, Kinky Friedman, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Al Franken, anything seems possible.

What I'm wondering most of all is this: How did this story fall into Cindy Adams' lap? Do she and Kilmer just regularly call each other up from around the world to chat, and on this particular occasion he felt like volunteering this information to her? I doubt it. It sounds as if they had a pretty extensive discussion about Kilmer's political ambitions, which wouldn't have happened unless he wanted it to. Which means it was a prearranged pseudoevent — right? All right, all right, enough already. I guess I'm just struggling to digest that the man once known as "Iceman" in "Top Gun" might one day be known as "Governor."

The greatest irony of all: It seems as if Kilmer might get the recognition from the academy that he is now seeking from the people of New Mexico, after all. It was recently announced that he will produce, direct and star as the eponymous character in a biopic of Mark Twain tentatively titled "Mark Twain and Mary Baker Eddy," which is due out in 2010, and which sounds like potential Oscar bait. Time will tell!

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Photo: Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise in "Top Gun." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Comments

[Robert Hamer]

Val Kilmer looking to be the first actor with any talent to run a high executive office (in this case, New Mexico Governor)? Interesting...

[Anthony]

Kilmer isn't a bad guy and he has been out with some good work. Particulary fond of Ghost and the Darkness....

But, did I read that Kilmer was working on a remake of North by Northwest? Some things are better left alone and/or should be punishible by draconian laws. When will they ever learn?

[ferrin]

Wonderful! I am so glad a truly integral human being is, possibly, seeking office. Mister Kilmer would create so much peace and harmony for New Mexico. If I were a resident of that state I would definitely vote for him. Goodness, I'd probably canvass my bum off for him. I wholly love that actor/ man.

[January]

Mr. Kilmer has obviously reached a level of success in his choosen profession and for that he has my respect. We who live in Santa Fe have also heard the hinting of his running in government. If he brings the same energy and devotion to a political office as he did to his acting career, we would be lucky to have him. Perhaps Mr. Kilmer would consider being more visible in New Mexico, (should schedules allow) if running for a political office. Our present Gov Bill Richardson is highly visible to the public and is frequently out and about Santa Fe. Being seen together having dinner or attending an hour or two during the ongoing government sessions now in progress couldn't hurt any aspiring politician. People like to see and not just hear about change! All the best to those individuals who want to become positive leaders. But you have to get your feet wet to go swimming.

[wayne schaffer]

i and the majority of new mexicans and mostly senior citizens of this great state would absolutely vote against val kilmer as governor...although he is a very accomplished actor, we do not need another hollywood type ...richardson is one of the crookedest politicians since tony anaya and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. we need honest people in that position w.w. schaffer