Following their collaboration in the film MacGruber, a comedic adaptation of a recurring sketch from Saturday Night Live that parodies high-octane spy dramas, actors Will Forte and Val Kilmer forged a deep friendship that extended beyond the filming set. In a heartfelt essay published in Vulture, Forte opened up about their bond and expressed what he considers the “biggest regret” of his professional career.

Forte, who had long been a devoted fan of Kilmer's work, found the prospect of casting the iconic actor, known for his roles in films like Top Gun, in the part of the diabolical villain Dieter Von Cunth to be a dream come true. Initially viewed as an unlikely choice, Kilmer’s acceptance of the role transformed the film into a memorable experience for both actors, leading them to develop a close friendship. Their camaraderie grew so strong that they decided to share an apartment for a few months after Kilmer sought a change from his Malibu residence.

During their time as roommates, Forte often enjoyed watching The Amazing Race, a popular reality show on CBS that features teams racing around the globe to complete various challenges in hopes of winning a grand prize of $1 million. Kilmer, who initially dismissed the show as “garbage,” soon found himself captivated by its exciting premise. As Forte recalled, “Then, at a certain point, he said, ‘Will, you and I have to go do The Amazing Race. We have to. Let’s do The Amazing Race.’ I’m like, ‘I am so fully in.’” Their enthusiasm was palpable, and they both eagerly contacted their agents about participating in the show.

However, their excitement quickly turned to disappointment as their representatives dismissed the idea, stating, “There’s no way you guys are doing that.” Forte lamented, “That is, maybe to this day, the biggest regret of my whole career — that I never did The Amazing Race with Val. I think we would’ve gotten out very quickly, but it just would’ve been the experience of a lifetime.”

In the closing remarks of his poignant essay, Forte expressed a sense of longing for more time to reminisce about their shared experiences. “I wish I had more time to remember the old stories. There are so many memories I’m leaving out … Somehow, we lucked into getting him to do MacGruber, but I didn’t know if I was going to get that lucky to get to work with him again. I settled for being his roommate,” he reflected.

Sadly, the cherished memories they created together have now taken on an even deeper significance following Kilmer's passing earlier this week. The talented actor, celebrated for his remarkable versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles, succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 65. Kilmer had previously battled throat cancer, which significantly affected his voice but did not hinder his remarkable ability to captivate audiences. He leaves behind a legacy of iconic performances in films such as The Doors, The Saint, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Batman Forever, Tombstone, Thunderheart, Willow, and his final role in Top Gun: Maverick.