What Life’s Like For 1980s Heartthrob Val Kilmer After Surviving Throat Cancer

Val Kilmer was a staple in movies in the 1980s and 1990s. It’s hard to forget him as Iceman in “Top Gun” or as Jim Morrison of The Doors. But, life has changed significantly for the actor who lost his voice to throat cancer. Now, Kilmer struggles to speak at all but he has found a way to get his message across. And he’s excited about his return to the big screen later this year. 

Val Kilmer’s Relationships

Kilmer chatted with Chris Connelly of “Good Morning America” about a new memoir that discusses his life and his very public relationships with actresses including Cher, Angelina Jolie, and Cindy Crawford.

About Angelina Jolie, he wrote:

“I couldn’t wait to kiss Angie, buy her [a] Gulfstream jet and have V+J painted in rainbow glory on the trail.”

The interview with GMA is one of his first interviews in years and he opens about his new book “I’m Your Huckleberry.”

And, fans are already reaching for it:

Kilmer, who is now 60 years old, struggles to speak with assistance but he’s not letting that get in his way. This once-outspoken actor is finding new ways to communicate.

RELATED: Dolly Parton Discusses Her Open Marriage And The ‘Affair’ That Left Her Feeling Suicidal

When Connelly asked Kilmer what he missed most about his voice, he had a quick response that shows he has as sense of humor about his difficulties. 

“That I had one! That I didn’t laugh like a pirate,” Kilmer said.

“I feel a lot better than I sound, but I feel wonderful,” the actor said. “I was diagnosed with throat cancer, which healed very quickly. This is a tracheotomy to help me breathe because the glands in my throat swelled up as well.”

In addition to having a tracheotomy, he also had radiation and chemotherapy to save his life.

He also leaned heavily on prayer to help him get through his battle with cancer. He has been free of the disease for four years without any reoccurrence.

Kilmer also offered a bit of wisdom on Instagram addressing the coronavirus pandemic.

The emotional interview can be watched in the tweet below. 

“Top Gun: Maverick”

Kilmer will be returning to the big screen as Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in “Top Gun: Maverick” which is expected to be released in December. 

He was thrilled when he got the offer:

“It was absolutely moving. I really was surprised. Tom was wearing his jacket, the original jacked from the first movie. It was just very moving. I don’t want to give away anything, but in between takes, Tom and I just laughed like we were in high school,” Kilmer stated.

No teasers have been leaked about the reunion of Tom Cruise and Kilmer, but it’s sure to be a tear jerker, particularly given Kilmer’s absence from acting due to his cancer battle.

Take a look at the trailer right here:

RELATED: Rosanne Barr Plots Her Revenge, Wants To Take Down Everyone Involved With ‘The Conners’