Val Kilmer Rejected R-Rated Joke in 'MacGruber'

Val Kilmer, who passed away in April at age 65, played the villain Dieter Von Cunth in the 2010 comedy MacGruber but refused to perform one of the script's most extreme jokes, which involved his character's penis being cut off and shoved in his mouth. Director Jorma Taccone and cohost Seth Meyers agreed it was a wise decision for Kilmer to decline the gag, especially in retrospect. Despite the raunchy humor and the outlandish nature of the role, Kilmer surprised the MacGruber team with his willingness to participate and impressed everyone during the first table read, which he performed without having read the script beforehand. Taccone and cast members recalled being starstruck by Kilmer, who was known for both dramatic and comedic roles, and noted how he excelled at balancing humor and villainy in the film. Kilmer's participation in the project is thought to have been influenced by his positive experience hosting Saturday Night Live and his connection to producer Lorne Michaels.