As tough and as strong as Iceman. Val KilmerSince being diagnosed with throat carcinoma more than five years back, has been on an ongoing health journey.
After initially denying that he was ill, the actor made public his diagnosis in 2017. He also shared his feelings about how his illness had affected his outlook on his life.
“I was too serious. I’d get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way,” Kilmer told The Hollywood ReporterAt the time. “I would like to have more Oscars than anybody. Meryl StreepIt must feel quite good, right? It must feel good to know that everyone loves and supports her. It’s about being loved.”
The Very nice guys star’s adult children, Mercedes and Jack, joined him in the interview, recalling Mercedes being in the hospital at the same time as her dad after she was hit by a car.
“I was just, you know, miserable, distraught, sitting next to these two,” Jack said.
Kilmer, in addition to receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer, also had a temporary tracheostomy that made it difficult to talk. That didn’t stop him, however, from reuniting with Tom Cruise and reprising his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky inTop Gun: MaverickThis film will be in theaters May 27, 2022.
“[Tom] said, ‘I’m not making this movie without Val,’” producer Jerry BruckheimerSubmitted THR In 2022. “When we filmed it, it was a very emotional day, having Val there and seeing him work with Tom after 35 years.”
Mercedes also spoke with the outlet about her father’s return to the role. “I was on set, I saw it live and it was extraordinary. It means a lot to my dad, as he’s very proud of that film. This is what he loves to do,” she said. “It was trippy, and very special, for my dad to be on set with all of his friends who made this movie when they were my age.”
Cruise, for his part said Metro that it was “lovely” to work with his former costar again.
“There were so many moments in making it that were very special, incredibly unique,” he said. “[Val] is an actor that I greatly admire, so it was wonderful.”
Scroll through for more on Kilmer’s health battle:
