¡®You have to make the choice to eat or breathe': 4 years before his death, Val Kilmer spoke about his battle with throat cancer

Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood¡¯s biggest names, is no more. The Batman Forever actor passed away on Tuesday because of complications related to pneumonia. He had been battling health issues for a while. A few years ago, in 2014, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Following this, he underwent several medical procedures which affected the quality of his life. In an Amazon Prime Video documentary, released in 2021, Val had opened up about these struggles

When Val Kilmer opened up about battling cancer.

Val Kilmer underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with throat cancer. In 2014. He eventually also required a tracheostomy, a medical procedure that made a hole in his throat. This altered his voice forever. In a documentary, Val revealed that he actually lost his voice after the procedure. Following this, the doctors provided him with an artificial sound box to communicate. In Val, a documentary, he spoke about that testing time.

¡° I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can't speak without plugging this hole,¡± he said.

The procedure also made it difficult for him to eat as he had to be fed through a tube.

¡°You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It's an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me,¡± he said

He also recalled that he was taken by surprise on being diagnosed with throat cancer.

About Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer started his career with the spoof comedy Top Secret (1984). He then impressed fans with his work in the comedy Real Genius, which hit the screens the next year. He, however, rose to fame with the Tom Cruise-led Top Gun!. He also garnered attention with his work in Batman Forever, The Doors, and Top Gun Maverick.