Though he continues to claim there is nothing wrong with his health, Val Kilmer is unrecognizable, and has not been seen in public without a scarf wrapped around his neck, even in very warm weather. The rumors have ranged from an infection to throat cancer, but Kilmer has stated that none of these things are true. Kilmer is a follower of Christian Science, and believes in faith healing over medical intervention, though he has been known to seek care from a doctor.
The Daily Mail reports that Kilmer has taken to social media to report that he has neither an infection nor a tumor, but has not revealed what has caused him to look so unwell.
“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.”
Why Kilmer continues to deny that he is having a health crisis is confusing to fans, especially after it was confirmed that he was rushed to a hospital off of a movie set in January after coughing up blood. At the time, even his rep publicly stated that he was undergoing tests for a possible tumor. Since then, he will only report complications, with no indication of what illness is causing complications.
Not sure what’s going on w/ Val Kilmer, but I wish him well. No one else could’ve played Jim Morrison, Doc Holliday. https://t.co/qBoVHnSyEP
— Loukia Louka Borrell ???? (@LoukiaBorrell) October 23, 2015
People Magazine suggests that Kilmer was in the ICU of UCLA Medical Center, but Kilmer insists that the hospital gave him a clean bill of health. It is unusual for anyone to have a check up in an intensive care situation. His rep, Liz Rosenberg put out this conflicting statement.
“According to a family friend and spokesperson, the doctors are encouraged by his progress and are hopeful that Mr. Kilmer will make a full recovery.”
Kilmer later updated his fans.
“I have not had a tumor, or a tumor operations, or any operation … I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the UCLA ICU.
Val Kilmer slams hospitalization reports, says they’re ‘totally untrue.’ https://t.co/VQbHcLbPRM pic.twitter.com/r3yWjdYmNj
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) October 23, 2015
The New York Daily News reports that glimpses of Kilmer have been spotted, always wrapped in a scarf or a bandana around his neck, despite temperatures in the 90s.
“ Radar Online exclusively reported early Friday that Kilmer was admitted into UCLA Medical Center’s intensive care unit, where he ‘could barely speak’ and was hooked to several tubes amid speculation he’s battling throat cancer.”
The same source said that Kilmer is now seeking comfort care rather than further medical treatment.
About the scarves, Kilmer explains that it is just to cover some inflammation on his neck.
“I am having a grand time. And I should mention I do not have cancer or a tumor,” he said on Facebook at the time. “There has been a swelling that I have covered during this period of recovery from a procedure I had done which was not an operation on this area.”
Val Kilmer Hospitalized In The ICU — Is It The End? https://t.co/n9xySuChQD
— Media News Now (@medianewsnow) October 23, 2015
Hollywood Life says that Kilmer has caught wind of these various theories about his health, and has attempted to stay ahead of the suggestions that he has a terminal illness .
Will stay close to my doctors advising, my family and my Christian Science practitioner when all the facts are in.”
Do you think Val Kilmer is being straight with fans about the state of his health?
[Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images]
