Over the weekend we heard from Michael Douglas that Val Kilmer had cancer and is “dealing with exactly what I had,” meaning cancer of the tongue which Douglas has since recovered from, and that “things don’t look too good for him… My prayers are with him.” He added “that’s why you haven’t heard too much from Val lately.” Kilmer and Douglas starred together in 1996’s Ghost and The Darkness so you might think that Douglas is close with him and that he had Kilmer’s permission to speak about his medical condition. Plus we’ve heard rumors about Kilmer for some time and he’s been photographed out with what looks like an assistive breathing device on his neck. Kilmer has denied stories in the past that he has cancer however, and in a long post to Facebook he wrote that he’s been working steadily and that Douglas is misinformed after he asked him for advice last year about a growth on his tongue.
That was one of the most gracious denials I’ve read from a celebrity. He made sure to be kind to Douglas and he noted that he has sought medical treatment. As Kilmer writes, he’s a Christian Science devotee. I’ve heard that they eschew all medical treatment and there were stories last year that Kilmer’s family was concerned because he didn’t seek treatment until his condition was dire. In the past handful of years the church has been trying to change their position and has encouraged their followers to seek medical treatment when necessary. Their Q&A does not come out firmly against medical treatment and says it’s up to the individual. Without getting too much into that, I believe Kilmer that he did go to UCLA. So why did Douglas say that Kilmer was suffering from cancer and why did he feel the need to say that things were dire, essentially? It’s not adding up for me because I don’t think Douglas would say that without solid information. I hope everything is fine with his health as Kilmer states and that he’s cancer free and feeling well. It’s good news that he’s been working on projects which are meaningful to him.
The photo above is the most recent we have of Kilmer, it’s from 2015. The photos below are from 2013. Credit: Getty, PRPhotos, FameFlynet
Michael Douglas is going to get his ass kicked in private. This is still val kilmer, after all.
*drifts into a reverie about when Val was as hot af.
And Val was as hot af!
Edit: the Christian Science Mother Church and the Monitor are here in Boston. The Monitor building has exhibits explaining the tenets of the faith, all explained by a younger as hot af Val Kilmer. The building itself is fascinating in its own right (Mapparium!) but Val is an added attraction
Val Kilmer in The Saint still does things to me.
I hope he really doesn’t have cancer, and it’s not just his beliefs talking.
Ooh I think there was a Blind Gossip item about this the other day
ETA: the item basically said it was true but Val wanted to keep it private so he can continue his career without chatter about his health.
There have long been rumors that Val has or had some kind of oropharyngeal cancer but he has repeatedly denied it. In any case of course Val’s health info is his to share or not share, Im sure Michael Douglas had positive intentions but he shouldn’t have gone there…. I will always have a soft spot for Val just based on the movie Top Secret!
+1 It’s pretty gross to disclose someone else’s health issues.
I agree, it was a really weird thing to do. Was he asked specifically about Val?
No one has any right to speak on behalf of someone else regarding an illness.
+1
I’m glad he’s taken steps to better his health, but in recent photos he looks so frail and old beyond his years (a side effect of his treatment?). I wish him all the best, though, and hope his health continues to improve. He’s always been one of my favorite actors, love him.
MD is a moron. Private information, hello!!!
Weren’t there stories when MD was talking about how he got his cancer from performing oral sex on women that poor Catherine Zeta Jones was horrified and wished he would shut up?
I guess MD sees himself as a walking talking cancer public service announcement but he went way too far with Val. Basically saying things don’t look good for him … How awful. Val has kids and does artwork and is nice to his fans on social media. Wish Val would spike Mike like Iceman’s beach volleyball in Top Gun.
Oh my god! I totally forgot about that, but YES! He said that he got throat cancer from going down on ladies which……..I never looked into but I’m not so sure that is how it works. But way to blame your cancer on others!
ETA: quick google search revealed that it does work that way and he was correct- HPV can cause throat cancer and it is on the rise. He should still shut it though.
@MC2- it is accurate- HPV can cause oral cancers as well as cervical (and rectal, for that matter) – that’s why it is as important for preteens of both genders to have the vaccination Gardasil.
Yeah, it was really classless to talk about someone else’s personal business. Especially medical info that could potentially effect someone’s ability to get jobs.
Forever dong.
I’m old – Val Kilmer was my JAM back in the day. Break me off a piece of Val!
Apart from it being incredibly bad form to talk publicly about someone else’s private health issues without their permission, it seems such an odd thing for Douglas to do. It makes me wonder far more about his (mental) health than Kilmer’s…
MD had no right to disclose this info, buuuuuuuuuuuuut, I’m thinking there is truth to his statement.
Same. There have been rumors about Kilmer’s health for a long time, but his health is his business, and he obviously wants to keep this private. Therefore, Michael Douglas needs to STFU.
I mean, why would anyone even publicly comment on another person’s health like this? I don’t get it.
He is keeping is throat covered up, but, SO. Even if has cancer, he clearly is the type that doesn’t want to prattle on about health matters, as long as they’re in hand. He’s looking better than I thought he might!
There are pictures of Val leaving a hospital long treatment. Pictures with even have a trach in his throat. Think he even posted some pictures. Regardless, even if he decides not to receive treatment it is his choice.
VK’s medical issues are not our business, or Michael Douglas’. I can’t believe MD thought it was appropriate to public say such things.
Yeah I remember hot af Val Kilmer. He was the hotter guy in Top Gun (sorry Tommy Girl). He was also the hotter Batman (sorry Clooney and Keaton).
I had a tracheostomy after a botched surgery – it’s a last ditch effort and necessity to keep a person alive. It’s the most uncomfortable, scary thing to deal with. My heart goes out to Val. Mine was temporary – his seems permanent.
Hi Y’all….hubby had the same cancer…stage 4…I think there is a lot of misconception about hpv..and I had the same “eeewwww” reaction when they told us..went thru cancer 101 and learned 80 percent of the population has hpv..about 1 percent develop cervical or head/neck cancer…it’s becoming so prevalent in men ages 40 and up. Treatment is just brutal and so many people are never able to get their their trach tube or feeding tube removed. We try to talk about it as much as we can to inform people about hpv and the vaccinations available for teenagers. Cancer is tough but the hubby was tougher!