Years-long battle with throat cancer took its ultimate toll on acting great Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer, the actor known for his roles in "Top Gun" and "Heat," died from pneumonia Tuesday night in Los Angeles after an intense 11-year battle with throat cancer that left him using a voice box.
Val Kilmer, the actor known for his roles in "Top Gun" and "Heat," died from pneumonia Tuesday night in Los Angeles after an intense 11-year battle with throat cancer that left him using a voice box.
The 65-year-old was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and recovered, before undergoing painful treatments that included a tracheostomy that permanently altered his speaking voice.
His daughter confirmed his Tuesday death from pneumonia to the AP.
"While working with Val on 'Heat' I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character," director Michael Mann said in a Wednesday post on Instagram.
"After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news."
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