Entertainment

Val Kilmer Responds To Michael Douglas’ Cancer Claims

Published on: November 1, 2016 at 9:45 PM
By Lindsay McCane

Val Kilmer is finally responding to Michael Douglas’ claims that he is battling oral cancer.

Last weekend, while participating in a Q&A session in London, Michael Douglas confessed that his friend Val Kilmer has the same cancer he previously battled.

In 2010, Douglas was diagnosed with stage four oral cancer , and after completing his treatments, was declared cancer free in 2011, Variety reports. Fans have speculated that Kilmer was dealing with a medical condition for a while now, but it had never been confirmed.

“Val was a wonderful guy who is dealing with exactly what I had, and things don’t look too good for him,” Douglas told host Jonathan Ross. “My prayers are with him. That’s why you haven’t heard too much from Val lately.”

The rumors regarding Val Kilmer’s health started in January 2015 when news broke that he was bleeding from his throat. Rumors again started in October 2015 when it was reported that Val had been diagnosed with a tumor after visiting the UCLA Medical Center. Kilmer denied both claims.

“Thank you all for your love and support,” Kilmer wrote in a Facebook post at the time. “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.”

On Tuesday, November 1, Kilmer responded to Douglas’ statements regarding his health in a lengthy Facebook post, saying he was “misinformed.”

“I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed,” Val wrote. “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.”

“Some fans have mistakenly thought my silence about my personal issues meant that somehow I wasn’t being responsible to my health, because of my reliance on prayer and Love,” Kilmer continued. “Nothing could be further from the truth. Altho I am very grateful for all the support from around the world, when people found out I had a physical challenge. I hope this puts to rest any further concerns about my health by publications that have no respect for the truth. Whatever led Michael Douglas to speculate about my health, he’s a loving and devoted friend to a privileged group of talent people around the world, and I’m sure he meant no harm.

Val concluded, “Being healthy and having the respect of my peers and love from my family, friends, peers and fans is a DAILY source of inspiration, for which I am so grateful, you have no idea. I work VERY hard at my craft, and being appreciated since I was a little boy for being able to give this gift, has literally made my life. Thank you all.”

Douglas had said the cancer was why Val’s fans hadn’t heard much out of him lately, a statement Kilmer refuted in the same Facebook post. He explained that he had made three films over the past year, one of which he directed himself.

“Come see me live and happy and in person in Westwood next week if you think I’m fibbing!!” Kilmer wrote. “I’ve done 3 Q and A’s so far and am having the best time. The film is called CINEMA TWAIN and is a recording of my play. I’m right proud of the performance and the writing, altho editing Mark Twain is pure joy! What a lover of life and humanity.”

Do you think Val Kilmer is being honest about his health? Leave your comments below.

[Featured Image by Mark Humphrey/AP Images]

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