The Actor’s Rare Comments About His Health And Personal Growth Offer Insight Into His Final Years
Val Kilmer, the actor you likely know from films such as Top Gun, Tombstone, or Batman Forever, passed away on April 1 at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed his death, saying he died from pneumonia.
Kilmer had an illustrious career that began with his attendance at Juilliard, a renowned drama school. At the time, he was the youngest student ever to do so.
He later performed in various roles on Broadway. His first film was Top Secret, a 1984 parody of spy films set during the Cold War, which marked the beginning of his successful career on the big screen.
Later, he starred in Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise as the character Tom Kazansky or “Iceman.”
Val Kilmer returned to the screen in Top Gun: Maverick, released in 2022, after a long battle with throat cancer. Watch his scene below.
RELATED: Tom Cruise Once Got Pranked By Val Kilmer On The Set Of “Top Gun“
Val Kilmer’s History With Cancer
Although he initially denied having cancer, he confirmed in a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015.
At that time, he disclosed that he underwent a tracheotomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
In a rare interview after his diagnosis, Val Kilmer appeared on GMA to discuss his new role on Playdirt, where he acted alongside his daughter.
He shared, “I’m doing great. I feel a lot better than I sound.”
Although he rarely discussed his health problems, he talked about acting with his new voice during this rare interview.
“It’s just like any other language or dialect,” he said. “You have to figure out a way to communicate that’s no different than any other acting challenge, but it’s just a very unique set of circumstances.”
Watch his full interview below.
RELATED: Revisiting Some Of Val Kilmer’s Best Scenes As Doc Holliday In “Tombstone”
The Actor Reflected On His Life Post Cancer
Life-threatening or even life-altering diseases have a way of making someone take a look at their life from a different perspective. In a 2017 interview, he shared one of the things he learned.
“I was too serious,” he said. “I’d get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way.”
The Associated Press later shared this quote from the actor,
“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. 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. And I am blessed.”
Rest in peace, Val Kilmer. Remember the actor in the video below.
