Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, Kilmer faced a long battle with the disease. His health struggles, including his reliance on a breathing tube, were documented in the 2021 film Val.
Val Kilmer’s Hollywood Legacy
Kilmer gained widespread recognition for his unforgettable performances. He starred alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986), portrayed Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991), and took on the role of Batman in Batman Forever (1995). His contribution to cinema cemented his place as a Hollywood legend.
Tom Cruise’s Emotional Reunion With Val Kilmer in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
He initially denied his cancer diagnosis but went public with it in 2017. By 2016, he was declared cancer-free, though a tracheostomy permanently altered his ability to speak.
In Val, his son narrated the challenges Kilmer faced daily. “I can’t speak without plugging this hole [in my throat],” he explained. “You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat.”
Reflecting on his journey, Kilmer remarked, “It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.” He continued, “I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed. I am blessed.”
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