Val Kilmer’s heartbreaking health battles that blighted final years as star ‘couldn’t speak’
Hollywood star Val Kilmer, best known for his roles in roles in Batman Forever and Top Gun, has sadly died at the age of 65. The actor died on Tuesday, his family confirmed. The star had been battling pneumonia.
However, he had previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. Following his diagnosis, Val underwent treatment including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He also underwent a tracheostomy, which created an artificial hole in this neck, which helped him to breathe. In 2021, The Doors star opened up about his heart breaking journey with cancer in a documentary – after living cancer free.
Despite getting the all clear, Val was left with a permanently damaged voice due to the treatment he endured – as he revealed he was forced between choosing to eat or breathe. “You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat,” he said on his Amazon Prime documentary, Val. Speaking about his difficulties speaking he said it made him want to tell his story now more than ever.
“I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can’t speak without plugging this hole,” he continued – pointing to his throat. As well as Val’s voice being affected, the star revealed he was being fed his meals through a tube. “You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me,” he said. What’s your favourite Val Kilmer film? Take our poll below. If you can’t see it, click here
Shortly before the documentary was released, his children Jack and Mercedes opened up about his journey. Stating he was doing well, they expressed he “was a monster of a life.”
Speaking to Extra, the actor’s children revealed: “He’s doing well. Still recovering. The recovery process is just as gruelling as the actual disease. He’s just a monster of life and he loves life so much. He has to document everything because he can’t be stopped.”
Despite his health battles, in 2022, he reunited with Tom Cruise and reprised his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick. Tom revealed he cried during his reunion with Val. Due to his previous health battles, the star had to use AI-based dubbing technology – based on his archival recordings – to help him speak his lines. Fans were elated with his presence, and the film became the highest grossing of 2022.
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As the heartbreaking news breaks, tributes have been paid to the star from fans, friends and celebrities. Stranger Things star Matthew Modine took to X, formerly known as Twitter to write: “RIP Val Kilmer. If it wasn’t for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in FULL METAL JACKET. Thanks, Val.”
Josh Gad penned: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
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