Val Kilmer Denies Battling Throat Cancer, Despite Michael Douglas’s Comments

Actor Michael Douglas told an audience in London that former co-star Val Kilmer is struggling with throat cancer and that he is not doing well.

VAL KILMER RESPONDS TO DOUGLAS’ CANCER COMMENTS

Kilmer, 54, who has previously denied all reports and rumors of cancer, again denied Douglas’s claims. Douglas was discussing their 1996 film The God and the Darkness with Jonathan Ross when the subject was breached.

“The picture didn’t necessarily turn out as well as I hoped but I had a wonderful time,” Douglas began. “Val was a wonderful guy who is dealing with exactly what I have – what I had – and things don’t look too good for him.” Douglas, 72, was referring to oral cancer, which he himself was diagnosed with in 2010, after doctors found a tumor at the base of his tongue. After treatment, the actor was declared cancer free the following year.

“My prayers are with him,” Douglas added. “That’s why you haven’t heard too much from Val lately.”

Kilmer is a follower of the Christian Scientist religion, which doesn’t support the use of Western medicine, and that prayer can cure illness. Friends and family of Kilmer allegedly are worried that Val’s faith is hindering his health because he won’t seek medical treatment. “Val Kilmer’s family believes that the actor is killing himself by not dealing with a serious tumor because of his religious beliefs,” reported TMZ.

In early 2015, reports of Kilmer checking into a hospital where they found a tumor emerged, but the actor denied them. “Thank you all for your love and support,” Kilmer said in a Facebook post. “There’s a rumor I’m unwell again and in hospital which is totally untrue. I was in to verify I have no tumor or infection of any kind which was verified by the very caring experts at UCLA.”

In response to Douglas’s recent comments, Kilmer used his new film about Mark Twain in his defense. “The recent news of my demise has been greatly exaggerated. Mark Twain and his values and spirit live on even now! And I’m sure still standing! Yippee!”