Val Kilmer To Concerned Fans: Yes, I Went To The Hospital, No, I’m Not Deathly Ill

Despite his frail appearance and a recent trip to the hospital, Val Kilmer has quashed rumors that he is ill.

The rumor mill ran wild starting Thursday, with a report from Radar Online all but announcing Kilmer’s untimely death following news that the actor was rushed to the UCLA medical center, Page Six reported.

Apparently, the only truth to the report was that Val visited the hospital, People added.

The gloomy report about Val’s health, according to Page Six, had the actor admitted to the hospital, unable to speak, connected to tubes and IVs, including a tracheotomy tube. The rumor went so far as to indicate the Kilmer’s family was talking about “comfort care,” the New York Daily News added.

All of that is balderdash, Val, 55, said in an official statement posted on Facebook. Kilmer admitted he did go to the hospital, but it was only to learn that he didn’t have a tumor or an infection of any kind.

https://instagram.com/p/84r9q7ntiS/

“Thank you all for your love and support. 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.”

Celebrity watchers do have reason to speculate about Kilmer’s well-being, however. In recent photos, the actor hasn’t exactly looked his best and has appeared rather frail — and like he’s trying to hide something.

Case in point: Val is often photographed clad in numerous scarves, purposefully covering his neck, and has recently looked very thin. But Kilmer denies it means anything. In fact, this is the second time in nine months Val has had to fend off rumors about his health, E! Online added.

Earlier this year, the rumor mill reported that Kilmer was treated after he coughed up blood. Val was apparently rushed to the hospital following a 911 call, and then was tested for a throat tumor.

At the time, Val’s reps released a statement explaining the hospital visit.

“(Val) is currently undergoing tests at a Los Angeles Hospital for a possible tumor. The 55-year-old Kilmer is being cared for by his two children, Mercedes, 23, and son Jack, who is 19, both L.A. residents … The doctors are encouraged by his progress and are hopeful that Mr. Kilmer will make a full recovery.”

Kilmer also addressed the health scare rumors himself, posting on Facebook that he didn’t have a tumor or an operation to remove one, or any operation at all for that matter, but “had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the UCLA ICU.”

OK good! Val Kilmer denies report that he was rushed to the hospital https://t.co/vVvIUM9mlx pic.twitter.com/3RZVCkaKEE

— People (@people) October 23, 2015

Val sang the same tune this summer, when he explained that his scarves hid swelling from an unspecified “procedure,” which was apparently not conducted on his neck at all. Otherwise, Val reported being well and “having a grand time.”

However, other rumors filtered out earlier this year during Kilmer’s first trip to see doctors, and this has been mentioned again in news reports about his latest supposed scare: his Christian Science beliefs.

In February, Kilmer’s family apparently spoke out about the effect the actor’s religion was having on his treatment. Back then, they reportedly said Val was ignoring a growing throat tumor as a result of his beliefs.

The Daily News contended in its report that Christian Scientists like Kilmer do not believe in modern medical treatment, rather using prayer to heal illness, though Kilmer hasn’t addressed his beliefs when discussing his health and assuring his fans.

However, the religion actually teaches that God doesn’t want people to “suffer, be sick, or die,” but that he is good and “His will for each of us is only health and life.” Believers often deal with life’s troubles — including relationships, employment, global issues, and yes, health — through prayer, but “People who practice Christian Science are free to make their own choices about what to think and do in each situation, including health care.”

[Photo By Jerod Harris / Getty Images]