When was Val Kilmer diagnosed with cancer? Health struggles explored as Batman star dies at 65

The Doors star, Val Kilmer, is no more, his daughter, Mercedes, told The New York Times on Tuesday, April 1.

The actor, known for giving memorable performances throughout his career, passed away because of pneumonia. Mercedes Kilmer also told NYT that her father was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 but eventually recovered.

In January 2015, TMZ reported about Val Kilmer’s hospitalization due to a throat tumor. The Top Gun actor later issued a statement denying the story as he said,

“Thank you for all your sweet support. But I have not had a tumor, or a tumor operations, or any operation. I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the ucla ICU.”

Val Kilmer added,

“Friends have assisted who know my spiritual convictions and have been most sensitive and kind for the extra effort in making sure there's minimum gossip and silly talk. I am praying for a speedy return to the boards as they say. God bless you all and please don't worry. Love and deep affection , Val.”

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Val Kilmer continued to reject the claims of his throat cancer diagnosis until 2017

The actor continued denying the subsequent reports of him being unwell. Val Kilmer also rejected the claims of fellow actor and friend Michael Douglas, who mentioned his battle with cancer. According to People, the Basic Instinct star, who is also a cancer survivor, spoke about Kilmer during a Q&A session in London in 2016,

“[Val] is dealing with exactly what I had, and things don’t look too good for him.”

The Heat actor took to his Facebook to reject Douglas' claims. He wrote that he loved Michael Douglas, but “he is misinformed.” Val Kilmer also added that “no cancer whatsoever.”

In 2017, it was the first time when the Top Gun actor admitted to suffering from cancer. Kilmer answered a fan’s question about Michael Douglas’ statement and wrote,

“He was probably trying to help me cause press probably asked where I was these days. and I did have a healing of cancer, but my tongue is still swollen altho (sic) healing all the time. Because I don't sound my normal self yet people think I may still be under the weather.”

Later that year, Val mentioned his two-year battle with cancer during a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter. The Batman Forever star revealed that he had a “procedure on his trachea,” which “reduced his voice to a rasp” and “rendered him short of breath.”

Val Kilmer underwent chemotherapy and radiation despite being reluctant. In an interview with NYT, he revealed that despite his Christian Science beliefs, he underwent chemotherapy and tracheostomies due to his kids. Kilmer ultimately announced that he was cancer-free, but the treatment impacted his voice.

His struggles with cancer were later depicted in the 2021 documentary Val, which also talked about his late brother, his marriage, and his kids. Kilmer was seen in his last movie role in Tom Cruise's starrer Top Gun: Maverick, which came out a year later.

In 2021, Val collaborated with the UK-based firm Sonantic to recreate his voice using AI. According to The Wrap, the actor provided the archival recordings of his voice that helped Sonantic to develop their AI prototype. In a video released by the firm, the actor said using the AI voice,

"My voice as I knew it was taken away from me. People around me struggle to understand when I'm talking. But despite all that I still feel I'm the exact same person."

He added,

"Still the same creative soul. A soul that dreams ideas and stories confidently, but now I can express myself again, bring these ideas to you, and show you this part of myself once more. A part that was never truly gone. Just hiding away."

Val Kilmer later thanked Sonantic in a statement for restoring his voice.

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Kilmer passed away in LA on April 1, 2025, and is survived by his daughter, Mercedes, and son, Jack.