Val Kilmer may be refusing medical treatment due to his religious beliefs, according to reports.

Kilmer’s family is reportedly distraught because Kilmer is refusing to be treated for a throat tumor due to his religious beliefs. Kilmer was rushed to the hospital in Los Angeles on Monday night, and reports vary as to why. TMZ reported that after months of ignoring a throat tumor, the actor began to cough up blood and was forced to go to the hospital, despite his Christian Science faith. Other outlets reported that Kilmer was rushed to the hospital and underwent tests for a possible tumor. Kilmer himself has denied both stories on his official Facebook page.

Val Kilmer Denies Tumor Reports

After the reports emerged on Jan. 30, Kilmer took to his Facebook page to thank fans for their good wishes and clear up rumors regarding his health. Kilmer denied any emergency tumor or health issues pertaining to a supposed tumor. “Thank you for all your sweet support. But I have not had a tumor, or a tumor operations, or any operations. I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the ucla ICU,” Kilmer wrote.

“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,” Kilmer added.

Following Kilmer’s Facebook statement, his family’s representative issued a contrary statement: “Val Kilmer is currently undergoing tests at a Los Angeles hospital for a possible tumor…[Kilmer is] being cared for by his two children, Mercedes, 23, and son Jack who is 19, both LA residents.”

Val Kilmer Christian Science Faith

Following the release of his family’s statement, Kilmer again posted a denial to his Facebook page, writing, “Again, no tumor, no surgery. We are waiting for x ray results and will stay close to my doctors advising, my family and Christian Science practitioner when all the facts are in.”

Kilmer is an active member of the Christian Science faith, which practices healing through prayer instead of medical treatment. “Christian Science teaches that it’s never God’s will for anyone to suffer, be sick, or die. Instead, it shows how God is entirely good, and therefore His will for each of us is only health and life,” reads the Christian Science official website.

Val Kilmer Bashes USA Today

Despite Kilmer’s Facebook denial, USA Today published a story claiming that Kilmer was, in fact, “undergoing tests for a possible tumor.”

After USA Today reported that the actor was being treated for a possible tumor on Saturday, Kilmer again took to Facebook to deny the story and bash the report. Kilmer reprimanded the publication for claiming that his representative knew more about his health than he did and insisted that, from now on, he would be communicating with fans and press through Facebook.

“Please direct any concerned friends you may have that want to know how I’m doing to this sight [sic]. You all know it’s me talking, and you all know if it’s different ‘facts’ in USA TODAY they are not telling the truth because they are trying to sell a story that sells more magazines. Or whatever they sell nowadays,” Kilmer wrote.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.