When it comes to the idea of a Van Halen biopic, Valerie Bertinelli — the former wife of the late guitar legend Eddie Van Halen — isn’t just hesitant; she’s downright opposed.
In a recent conversation that’s been making the rounds online, Bertinelli made her feelings crystal clear. When asked about the possibility of a movie chronicling Eddie’s life and the rise of one of rock’s most electrifying bands, she replied bluntly:
> “Make sure I’m dead.”
The statement, though laced with her trademark humor, carried the weight of deep emotional truth. For Bertinelli, who shared decades of life, love, and heartbreak with Eddie, the thought of Hollywood trying to distill their story into a two-hour spectacle feels wrong. “It’s just too personal,” she has said in past interviews. “There are things people will never understand about him — and that’s how it should be.”
But not everyone in the Van Halen circle feels the same. Sources close to the band suggest that Alex Van Halen, Eddie’s brother and drummer, has been quietly exploring ways to bring the band’s story to the screen — possibly through a documentary or a dramatized biopic. Alex, who has remained largely out of the public eye since Eddie’s passing in 2020, reportedly wants to honor his brother’s legacy while ensuring that their side of the story is told authentically
Fans, of course, are torn. Many would love to see a proper cinematic tribute to the band that redefined rock in the late ‘70s and ‘80s — from Eddie’s jaw-dropping guitar innovations to the wild frontman energy of David Lee Roth and later, Sammy Hagar. But others agree with Bertinelli: maybe the magic of Van Halen belongs to the memories, the records, and the live footage — not a movie set.
For now, the fate of a Van Halen biopic remains uncertain. But if Bertinelli’s words are any indication, one thing’s for sure — it won’t happen without controversy.
