And the Oscar should go to ...

My childhood hero, John Wayne, said at the 1979 Academy Awards, "Oscar and I have something in common. Oscar first came to Hollywood scene in 1928. So did I. We're both a little weather-beaten, but we're still here and plan to be around for a whole lot longer."

Perseverance and longevity are two of the most admirable human qualities. Some actors epitomize them better than others. I want to talk about one, who I would include among amazing actors like Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Kirk Douglas, Sally Field and Denzel Washington.

As news and controversy swirls around which nominees should or shouldn't win Oscars at this year's 88th Academy Awards, my wife, Gena, and I were talking about the amazing career and acting abilities of a man who was overlooked over 20 years ago for best supporting actor in one of the finest roles ever. He wasn't even nominated.

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We love Val Kilmer. He has played some amazing roles, like Jim Morrison in "The Doors," Iceman in "Top Gun," Madmartigan in "Willow," Chris Knight in "True Genius," Simon Templar in "The Saint," Chris Shiherlis in "Heat," to name a few.

But Kilmer's single role that set him apart as well as established a template to measure other performances of the real historical figure was Doc Holiday in "Tombstone." It also starred Kurt Russell, who equally played an amazing version of Wyatt Earp.

Twenty-three years ago, the New York Times described Val's character scenes this way: "Although Wyatt's best friend, Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), executes a number of heroic deeds, throughout the film he is a jaundiced, perspiring wreck who is clearly drinking himself to death. Twice during the film, he collapses from what appears to be liver failure and coughs up blood."

But the Times completely missed the mark back then when it tried to minimize Kilmer's acting performance: "'Tombstone' goes to great lengths to portray Doc as a prefigurement of a dissolute modern poet, a frontier-era Jim Morrison. In one scene, the character flourishes Latin phrases. In another, he bangs out part of a Chopin nocturne on an out-of-tune piano. Mr. Kilmer, who gave an uncanny impersonation of Morrison in 'The Doors,' can be terrific at this sort of thing. But in 'Tombstone,' a performance that aims to chew all the scenery in sight seems slightly mannered."

I agree with the Ebaumsworld.com post, where Kilmer's character of Doc is described as "beyond iconic." Indeed, the role itself was epic.

The post went on to say, "Tombstone was an OK movie to start with, but Val's performance turned the film into a classic. One of the most quotable films of all time, all of which are from Kilmer. It is his singular presence that elevated the film and the other actors."

And now, 23 years later, who hasn't repeatedly watched the movie? Kilmer's lines in Tombstone are still some of the most-often quoted tough-guy lines.

Val (Doc) impeccably delivered a lot of great lines in Tombstone. Here are several of them:

• "Maybe poker just isn't your game. I've got an idea! Let's have a spelling contest."
• "Evidently Mr. Ringo's an educated man. Now I really hate him."
• "I beg to differ, Sir. We started a game we never got to finish. 'Play for Blood,' remember?"
• "I stand corrected, Wyatt. You're an oak."
• "It appears my hypocrisy knows no bounds."
• When asked where Wyatt Earp was, Doc answered, "He's down by the creek, walking on water."
• "I have two guns, one for each of ya."
• "You're a daisy if you do."
• "I'm your Huckleberry … that's just my game."
• "Why Johnny Ringo. You look like someone just walked over your grave."
• "Poor soul. You were just too high-strung."

Three years ago, at the 20-year anniversary of "Tombstone," many fans and critics tried to petition the Academy to give Val his much-deserved-but-belated Oscar recognition. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Val still deserves it!

Recently, in real life, Val has battled with some tough health problems. My wife, Gena, and I join the rank of fans that continues to pray for his recovery and well-being.

God bless you, Val! And Godspeed on your recovery and many more great acting roles in the future, like Doc Holliday!

No one needs to be corrected about this: You're an oak!

Chuck Norris provides real solutions to our county's problems and a way to reawaken the American dream in his best-seller, "Black Belt Patriotism."