Val Kilmer Acknowledges Cancer Battle For First Time

Speculation surrounding Val Kilmer ’s health has been circulating for about two years now, but the actor has mostly been quiet about the subject. 

During a recent Reddit Ask Me Anything session, however, Kilmer addressed his health, admitting he had “a healing of cancer.”

A fan asked Kilmer about Michael Douglas’ 2016 comments that suggested the “Top Gun” star was battling cancer . At the time, Kilmer said Douglas was “misinformed.” 

“What was the story behind that?” the Reddit user wrote. 

Prior to this AMA, Kilmer had not publicly admitted he had cancer, though last November he was reportedly having trouble speaking while at an event promoting his one-man play “Citizen Twain.” During that event, he reportedly told the crowd his tongue was swollen and he was “still recovering,” but did not say from what.  

Rumors about his health first surfaced in January 2015, when it was reported Kilmer had been hospitalized for bleeding from his throat . Outlets reported he underwent surgery for a throat tumor. 

The actor continually denied any illness or surgery, though was spotted later that year with what appeared to be a tracheostomy tube around his neck . After that, he began covering his neck with scarves or bandanas while out in public, but still did not address his illness.