Healing Through Art
- Top Gun legend Val Kilmer, 64, once known as a bit of a volatile bad boy in Hollywood, continues to find peace through art after some tumultuous times. The actor was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 and spends a lot of time “immersed” in his creativity.
- Though it is unclear what Kilmer’s current health status is, the Tombstone star continues to be an inspiration to his dedicated fans, with Kilmer frequently expressing how much he adores them back.
- Many cancer patients wrestling with their emotions or adjusting to cancer treatment undergo immense stress. During times like these, resorting to therapy such as music, dancing, painting, and other forms of art can be extremely helpful, especially when cancer has changed your physical looks and challenged your self-esteem.
- Throat cancer is cancer that develops in your throat or voice box. It can cause symptoms in the throat including sore throat, pain with swallowing, difficulty swallowing, the sensation of a lump or mass in the throat, ear pain, and less commonly voice changes, hoarseness or difficulty opening the jaw.
Though it is unclear what Kilmer’s health status is currently, he continues to be an inspiration to his adoring fans, with the cult icon frequently expressing how much he loves them back, and urging people to be kind.
Read More
“This creation is the second piece in this series of exclusive prints,” he added, noting that there are “only 10 signed copies” available on his website.
“To me, this piece gives off a bit of an “O’Keefe -ish” vibe,” one supporter commented, referring to the work of American artist Georgia O’Keefe. “A perfect piece to view & go deep in thought!”
Though the California heat wave is just beginning, another joked about the gloomier-than-usual Los Angeles weather the past few months, “Santa Monica is still a little chilly. Where is this magical warm garden?”
View this post on Instagram
“… reminds of God’s love.. peaceful and beautiful! Thank you for sharing,” a third fan wrote, with many others alluding to the piece’s resemblance to the female anatomy.
A Multi-Disciplinary Artist
Though he grew up a TV and film heartthrob, the “Iceman” to Tom Cruise’s “Maverick” in 1986’s Top Gun (and in 2022 for the sequel), and also played the coveted role of Batman in 1995’s Batman Forever, he had somewhat of a volatile reputation and was known for his on-set arguments.
These days, however, it appears the eccentric, yet lovable Kilmer has found peace in recent years through his visual art.
Highly dedicated to sharing his art around the world, Kilmer has had exhibitions everywhere from Tokyo’s Studio 360 to the James Kelly Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Woodward Gallery in New York City.
Kilmer shared a similar piece last June in a vibrant blue print. “I hope that you’ve found a connection or a message of your own gathered from one of these pieces. Art is an expression of the creator, but it is meant to be shared, to ignite conversations, and to inspire,” Kilmer said.
He added, “My role is not just that of a creator but also a conduit, connecting hearts and minds through the universal language of imagery. Thank you for sharing the LOVE.”
Regaining a Sense of Self — Turning to Artistic Expression Amid Cancer
Many cancer patients wrestling with their emotions or adjusting to cancer treatment undergo immense stress.
During times like these, resorting to therapy such as music, dancing, painting, and other forms of art can be extremely helpful, especially when cancer has changed your physical looks and challenged your self-esteem.
Cancer Survivor Joel Naftelberg Learned to Dance on His Problems
In 2020, researchers studied the outcomes of therapeutic artmaking in patients undergoing radiation oncology treatment. Although the research was limited in scope, it found patients reported “decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness” after mindfulness-based art therapy intervention.
Dr. Dana Chase, an oncologist at UCLA Health, told SurvivorNet that emotional health and good quality of life are associated with better survival and better outcomes. Art therapy can influence a cancer patient’s overall emotional health.
We previously sat down to chat with two-time cancer survivor, Bianca Muniz, who found solace in creating music while she was undergoing cancer treatment.
Her cancer journey began at just 11 years old when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Then, at 22 years old, she was diagnosed again this time with breast cancer.
‘My Friends Went Away After My Diagnosis; Thank God For Music’
Muniz says that undergoing numerous different treatments did have an impact on her voice, but she never let that get in the way of her love of performing, and cancer actually served as a muse for creating new music.
Learning About Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is cancer that develops in your throat or voice box.
“[Throat] cancer can cause symptoms in the throat including sore throat, pain with swallowing, difficulty swallowing, the sensation of a lump or mass in the throat, ear pain, and less commonly voice changes, hoarseness or difficulty opening the jaw,” Dr. Ryan Hughes, a radiation oncologist at Wake Forest School of Medicine, told SurvivorNet.
“In the majority of patients, [throat cancer] does not cause symptoms in the throat but instead first presents with an otherwise asymptomatic mass in the neck,” Dr. Hughes added.
Kilmer underwent chemotherapy to help treat the cancer. He also underwent a tracheotomy procedure which had an impact on his ability to speak. This procedure connects the windpipe to a hole in the front of your neck.
Interestingly, the actor continued working on production projects using artificial intelligence technology despite the impact the tracheotomy had on his voice. The technology was created by Sonantic, which used samples of Kilmer speaking to recreate his speech patterns.
Since undergoing treatment for throat cancer, Kilmer has said he’s healed of cancer in his memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, a nod to his Tombstone character.
Kilmer also added since battling cancer, “I’m so grateful.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.