Actor Val Kilmer, 63, widely known for his role in the ‘80s film “Top Gun,” once had a hoard of buffalo on his New Mexico ranch. Among his four-legged beasts was one buffalo in particular he named James Brown.
Like the famous singer, Kilmer says the horned animal was the “Godfather of Soul.” Kilmer claimed he would often dance under bright, shiny moonlight during winter without skipping a beat.
Kilmer’s connection to animals was bolstered while living in New Mexico during the 1990s. According to Architectural Digest, Kilmer purchased the property in the state, and a sizable amount of land came with it. While modifying his home, he had a stable and an outdoor compound built “specifically for a family of buffalo.”
The pack’s leader was the 1500-pound James Brown, “rocking and pronking with the agility of his namesake whenever the moon is full.”
While Kilmer doesn’t give detailed insight on the status of his dearest buffalo, he said in a caption, “I miss my buffalo. He was my oldest friend in Santa Fe.”
While Kilmer’s friendship with James Brown emerged during the 1990s, roughly a decade later, he would find himself battling throat cancer. Although he turned to art to help him cope with his cancer journey, some cancer patients find solace in animals and pets.
Actor Val Kilmer, 63, remembers his beloved buffalo he nicknamed “James Brown” for his tendency to prance around on full moon-lit nights on his New Mexico ranch in a social media post.
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