Is Val Kilmer Sick? When Did He Get Throat Cancer? Health And Illness Update
Val Kilmer has had a rather brutal battle with Throat Cancer since 2015. Although he has recovered, he lost his “primary tool” – his voice.
Val is an American actor who rose to prominence with Top Secret!, Real Genius, and Top Gun. He famously played Jim Morrison in The Doors and Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever. In 2022, the actor reunited with Tom Cruise and reprised his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick.
Films featuring Val Kilmer have earned over $3.5 billion worldwide as he is one of the highest-paid actors of the 1990s.
Is Val Kilmer Sick? He Lost His Voice To Throat Cancer
Val Kilmer, now 62, spent two years between 2015 and 2017 privately battling a serious Throat Cancer diagnosis. He underwent a procedure on his trachea that affected his vocal cords to the point where he found it extremely difficult to speak.
In January 2015, Val was hospitalized for a possible tumor. Although he persistently denied this, he later revealed that he had experienced healing from Cancer.
In December 2017, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the actor had undergone a two-year battle with Throat Cancer and that a procedure on his trachea had damaged his vocal cord. Val had to use an electric voice box in his trachea to speak. He also used a feeding tube to eat.
In an interview, Val said he was initially reluctant to seek medical attention. Eventually, his children convinced him to undergo formal treatment. It led to multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
(Source: People)
The Los Angeles native reported in 2020 that he had been cancer-free for four years. The procedures let Val fully recover from his Throat Cancer diagnosis and seemingly enter remission.
Where Is Val Kilmer Now?
Val Kilmer continues to work and do what he loves. The actor co-starred in Paydirt alongside his daughter, Mercedes, in 2020, and he returned for an emotional role in Top Gun: Maverick. For the latter, they used Val’s actual voice and digitally altered it for clarity.
Besides, he is occupied with his artistic interests, which are linked to his Los Angeles gallery/ creative incubator, HelMel Studios. He has explored different mediums, from photography to sculpture to abstract painting.
In 2021, Val worked with Sonantic, a London-based software company, to digitally recreate his voice using AI technology. They generated over 40 vocal models, which Val can use in future projects. He can employ his new voice in both professional and personal settings.
Val has captured his struggles, health, and career issues in his 2020 memoir I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir and 2021 documentary Val. The film premiered at Cannes and received critical acclaim.
We will see Val on his upcoming projects like Riptide and Mark Twain & Mary Baker Eddy.
Val Kilmer Family And Relationship Details
Val Kilmer, full name Val Edward Kilmer, was born on December 31, 1959, to Gladys Swanette and Eugene Dorris Kilmer.
Val was born as the middle child among three sons. Val’s younger brother Wesley, who had epilepsy, drowned in a jacuzzi at age 15 in 1977.
At the age of eight, his parents separated in 1968. William Bernard Leach and his mother later wed in 1970. He lost both of his parents.
Val’s mother was of Swedish descent, and his other ancestry includes English, Irish, Scots-Irish, German, and Cherokee roots.
Val Kilmer married Joanne Whalley for eight years, from 1988 to 1996. He met Joanne while working together on the film Willow.
The couple had two children, a daughter, Mercedes, and a son, Jack. Mercedes is 21, while Jack is 27.
The actor had previously famous ladies like Cher, Angelina Jolie, Cindy Crawford, and Daryl Hannah.
Similar Read: Is Sylvester Stallone Sick? Does He Have Autism? Son and Family Details.
