Val Kilmer Struggles To Speak At Public Event, Confirming Cancer Concerns From Michael Douglas

At this point, it’s difficult to know what’s really going on with Val Kilmer, as far as his health is concerned. Certainly, his limited public appearances create a cause for concern, but Kilmer’s own public statements have contradicted any rumors that the Batman Forever actor is battling cancer. Even when fellow actor Michael Douglas publicly painted the picture of an ill and suffering Val Kilmer, statements from The Doors actor again refuted any claims that cancer was keeping him away from his acting obligations. Now, in the aftermath of a disastrous public appearance, it seems Val can no longer deny the truth, either to himself or to his concerned fans.

Citizen Twain Star Val Kilmer Flounders At A Speaking Engagement, Reaffirming Cancer Rumors

While Val Kilmer may be trying to forestall a necessary break from his current project, the film adaptation of his one-man play, titled Citizen Twain, People reports his medical condition is catching up with him in a big way. Kilmer had already shared the sad news that he had to cancel one speaking engagement due to a swollen tongue, and even as he related this news at a recent Citizen Twain Q&A session, Val was still affected by the condition. His voice was jumbled and slurred, as though the swelling of his tongue was still causing him problems.

“I went into rehearsals down in Florida and started having trouble with my speech,” Kilmer said. “Obviously I’m still recovering. My tongue swelled up and I canceled the tour. As I’m recovering I’m showing this.”

Kilmer said little else about the swelling of his tongue or about the cause of the condition, instead choosing to focus on the positive. He talked more about his Citizen Twain project and adapting it from stage to screen. Val also proved to be in good spirits, making several jokes and giving his audiences some good laughs along the way.

Michael Douglas Says Val Kilmer Was Not Doing Well, Fears The Worst

It wasn’t more than a week ago that Michael Douglas was speaking with the voice of doom, warning Val Kilmer’s fans that the Batman Forever actor was suffering from a similar condition that Douglas himself had once suffered from and that Val wasn’t managing well. As E! News shared, Douglas had also suffered from throat cancer and had developed a tumor on the tip of his tongue, but treatment helped him battle the cancer and bounce back.

Douglas says this is exactly what has happened to his friend and fellow actor Kilmer. Michael adds that, unlike himself, Val hasn’t responded to treatment and suggested that his condition has worsened.

In response, Kilmer has refuted any claims about his health made by Mr. Douglas.

“I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed,” 56-year-old Val Kilmer wrote in a Facebook statement. “The last time I spoke to him was almost two years ago, when I asked him for a referral for a specialist to get a diagnosis for a lump in my throat, which prevented me from continuing a tour of my play Citizen Twain. I ended up using a team at UCLA and have no cancer whatsoever. I still have a swollen tongue and am rehabbing steadily.”

In appearing at the Citizen Twain event, Kilmer admitted to audiences that he’s still pursuing rehabilitation for the swelling of his tongue, revealing that he’s had to cancel several shows. Val added that he was grateful to everyone who has gone out to see Citizen Twain and that he has been inspired and honored by the standing ovations that the film’s showings have received.

“Fight. Care. Trust Love. And fight some more. Friends you don’t know you have will show up and help you,” Val Kilmer concluded. “I can testify.”

[Featured Image by Andy Kropa/Getty Images]