Published May 27, 2021

Cancer Survivor Val Kilmer, 61, Chronicles His Life In Upcoming Documentary ‘Val’: ‘Tireless Hours Of Editing And Endless Emotions With Each New Cut!”

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A Personal Milestone

Actor Val Kilmer announced that he will be releasing a personal documentary of his life and career later this year, simply titled Val.
The throat cancer survivor filmed himself nearly every day for years and says he can’t believe this project has finally come to fruition.
A common cause of throat cancer is the human papillomavirus, known as HPV. Many people don’t know that both men and women can get cancer from this virus, a leading doctor tells SurvivorNet.

Actor Val Kilmer announced that a personal documentary of his illustrious life and career, Val, will finally be released later this year.

The throat cancer survivor, known for his roles in Top Gun, Tombstone and The Doors, is a cult icon, and now we get to relive every glorious moment and see some never-seen-before, behind-the-scenes footage of the entertainer’s fascinating life.

Kilmer, 61, recently expressed the doubt that would sometimes creep into his head about the documentary ever seeing the light of day.

"At least once a day for years I looked around and got this bittersweet feeling that there are a thousand reasons that this project could've been shipwrecked,” Kilmer admitted. “I mean, what could a film look like of a man filming himself, sometimes daily, years at a time?”

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Directors Leo Scott and Ting Poo helped bring this special projectwhich includes intimate footage from the eccentric actor’s 16mm home moviesto life.

“It is unimaginable that this movie actually could've ever come to light without the partnership of my dear friends, Leo and Ting, and my producing partners,” Kilmer expressed with buoyant gratitude. “Tireless hours of editing and endless emotions with each new cut! I couldn't be more proud to share this with the world!"

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It is unclear whether or not the famously private actor will share documentation of his health battle or if it will be strictly about his art and films.

Kilmer’s Throat Cancer

Kilmer privately battled throat cancer after getting diagnosed in 2014, as media and fans constantly questioned his health. The Los Angeles native confirmed his diagnosis in 2017. Actor and fellow cancer survivor Michael Douglas had initially mentioned to press that Kilmer wasn't doing too well, but then later apologized, according to a post on Kilmer's Facebook page at the time.

Kilmer spoke with Good Morning America last year. "I feel a lot better than I sound, but I feel wonderful," Kilmer said.

The actor's speech was affected by a tracheostomy, which is a surgical procedure that creates an opening through the neck into the windpipe to allow access to a breathing tube.

Kilmer didn't initially plan to explore conventional treatment, believing his Christian Science faith would heal the tumors, but for the sake of his kids, he agreed to undergo chemotherapy. Kilmer has two kids, Mercedes, 29, and Jack, 25, with his ex-wife, English actress Joanne Whalley.

In his 2020 memoir I'm Your Huckleberry, the author wrote, "I have been healed of cancer for over four years now, and there has never been any recurrence. I am so grateful.” Kilmer hasn’t given an update since, but hopefully we will be hearing from the man himself very soon.

Causes of Throat Cancer

Although it is unknown what specifically caused Kilmer's throat cancer, as with any cancer, experts say it's important to stay educated on the risk factors.

Throat cancer can sometimes be caused by tobacco and alcohol use, and also by the human papilloma virus, or HPV, which can also be a cause of cervical cancer in women.

Dr. Jessica Geiger of the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center tells SurvivorNet that both men and women can get cancer from HPV.

"The strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer are the same strains of HPV that cause throat cancer," she explains. "The average patient with HPV-related throat cancer tends to be males in their 40s or 50s, who were never a smoker, or just a very light tobacco user."

Get the Facts HPV Can Cause Cancer in Men Too

The important thing to know about HPV is that there are many different strains, and only a couple of them tend to cause cancer.

"The vast majority of humans in the US, both men and woman, will eventually get infected with human papillomavirus," Dr. Allen Ho from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center tells SurvivorNet. "Probably less than 1% of the population who get infected happen to have the cancer-causing virus that, somehow, their immune system fails to clear."

HPV and Cancer Risk The Basics

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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