Remembering ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Star Val Kilmer, A Reminder of The Fragile Reality of Cancer Survivors

Although it’s unclear what led to Kilmer’s struggle with pneumonia, it’s important to understand that the infection can be deadly. According to the American Lung Association, “Pneumonia can be very serious and can cause death.

“Complications from pneumonia include respiratory failure, sepsis and lung abscess and are more likely to affect older adults, young children, those with a weakened immune system and people with other medical problems.”

Kilmer, who was presumed to be doing well prior to his death as he continued sharing his artwork on social media and posting throwback photos and videos on Instagram, didn’t go public with his pneumonia battle. In fact, his most recent and last Instagram post, was of a colorful abstract art filled with hues of light pink and blue.

He captioned the post, which was shared on March 22, “It’s got that late-night glow. Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you’re still wide awake.

“12” x 20” plexi-glazed, signed, and ready to hang. ValKilmer.com.”

RELATED: Brave ‘Top Gun’ Actor, Throat Cancer Survivor & Abstract Artist Val Kilmer Allows Fans Hear Him Speak With a Voice Box Years After Tracheotomy

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Fans flooded his last post with heartfelt comments, with one writing, “Rest in Peace, Val. Thank you for your art, your heart, your spirit, your boldness, your depth, your humanity.

“Thank you for being part of my childhood into manhood. From ‘Real Genius’ to ‘Top Secret’ and everything in between – you are a part of my and many others fondest memories. As you played Jim Morrison I wish you love, peace and watch over those you leave behind. Thank you and break on through.”

Another fan wrote, “This broke my heart… I will never forget when you gifted me that Batman autographed painting you gave me back in 2017 when I was a student at Long Beach City College. Thank you, Mr. Kilmer. May you rest with Jesus now.”

While a third commented, “‘You see, I’m both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Not because I have to be. Now, because I choose to be.’ If you were a kid born in the early 2000s, you probably watched this on repeat like I did.

“Batman Forever was MY FAVORITE Batman movie. I wore the VHS of it out. I just watched it again for the first time in ages a month or so ago. We lost an absolute legend. Rest easy Val.”

“Heartbroken to hear the news of your passing. You were one of the good ones. A iconic talented man and you will be missed tremendously,” a fourth fan wrote.

Celebrities also took to social media to remember Kilmer, and American actor Josh Brolin was one of them, writing on Instagram, “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those.

“I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.”

Film director Michael Mann also shared some sweet words, “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.

“After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news.”

Additionally, Danny Ramirez, who in  “Top Gun: Maverick” with Kilmer, wrote on his Instagram story in the wake of his passing, writing, “In the brief time I spent with him on set he was nothing but kind, joyous and playful. I felt lucky to be in the same room.”

“A brilliant and generous performer and one of the coolest to ever do it,” he also said.

Prior to Kilmer’s last Instagram post, promoting his artwork, Kilmer shared throwback video clip of himself putting on a batman mask and offering fans the opportunity to hear his voice, more than four years after undergoing a tracheostomy (or tracheotomy), a surgical procedure that connects the windpipe to a hole in the front of the neck.

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Val Kilmer’s Battle With Throat Cancer

Val Kilmer discovered he had throat cancer in 2015 but chose not to speak publicly about his diagnosis until 2017.

The actor wasn’t considering conventional treatment at first, thinking his Christian Science faith would heal the tumors. But he ultimately agreed to undergo chemotherapy for the sake of his children, Mercedes and Jack, whom he had with his ex-wife, English actress Joanne Whalley.

Kilmer also underwent a tracheotomy, a surgical procedure that connects the windpipe to a hole in the front of the neck, which greatly impacted his speaking voice.

Thankfully, Kilmer continued acting as “Top Gun: Maverick” filmmakers were able to help give Iceman a voice again thanks to artificial intelligence technology that used samples of him speaking to recreate his signature speech patterns.

And though he originally kept his cancer battle out of the public eye, Kilmer eventually shared more about his journey through interviews, his autobiography “I’m Your Huckleberry,” and his documentary, “Val.”

RELATED: Watch this Inspiring Film About the Impact Art & Music Can Have on the Cancer Journey

“I have been healed of cancer for over four years now, and there has never been any recurrence,” he wrote. “I am so grateful.”

What Life May Look Like After Treatment

If patients have not experienced too many complications from their chemotherapy, “they are often able to go back to many of the same things that they did before they had their diagnosis of cancer and are able to live full and complete lives,” Dr. Michael Jain, medical oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview

Making a Survivorship Care Plan

So what comes after successful treatment? “At that point we often focus on the survivorship issues that they may have, preventing second cancers, and properly following them,” Dr. Jain explains.

A survivorship plan will include a schedule for follow-up exams and tests, plus a schedule for tests to check for any long-term health impacts from your cancer or treatment, and screening for any new cancers.

Your doctor will likely tell you what to look out for in terms of side effects that could show up late or over the long term. Your care team will provide you with diet and physical activity recommendations as part of your survivorship plan.

Moving On From Treatment

It’s natural to feel continuing mental health effects, such as depression and anxiety, even after your treatment ends. This is where you can benefit from a supportive community. Look to strengthen your relationships with friends and family, faith groups, support groups, and mental health professionals to buoy you as you move on from treatment.

In addition to caring for their mental health, people who finish treatment and are in complete remission will want to move on from cancer with a physically healthy lifestyle. Eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, staying at a healthy weight, and not smoking are all lifestyle practices that generally contribute to a healthy quality of life.

Indeed, cancer and its treatment might naturally point survivors in the direction of such practices. “Mostly [we’re] trying to maximize the quality of life that people have, because once you have a cancer diagnosis, I think it is an important time in someone’s life where they can take stock and really understand what’s important,” Dr. Jain adds.

There’s Life After Cancer

We admire Kilmer for never having allowed his cancer diagnosis to stop him from doing what he loves, including creating art and looking back on past films he acted in.

Sometimes it can be hard for cancer patients to see the light at the end of the tunnel especially after being hit with a diagnosis. However, SurvivorNet has shared thousands of stories from cancer warriors that prove everyday challenges tend to improve over time. With the support of loved ones that make up your support group, you too can find a way to navigate your emotions.

Your support group also helps motivate you while undergoing the rigors of cancer treatment. While every cancer warrior’s journey is unique, one thing is certain, you are more than your diagnosis.

Kilmer did, just as many other cancer survivors continue to demonstrate there’s life after cancer every day by focusing on what brings them joy, happiness, and gratitude.

WATCH: Living In Gratitude

Gratitude means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation for it. It’s a mindset that helps people going through tough times, and the experts SurvivorNet spoke with encourage cancer warriors and their loved ones to practice gratitude.

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet that his patients who live with gratitude tend to handle treatment better because this attitude is one way to stay mentally healthy.

Understanding Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box or tonsils. Some of the main risk factors for this disease include smoking, drinking alcohol, a diet lacking in fruits or vegetables, acid reflux disease and the human papillomavirus (HPV).

So, one way to decrease the chances of developing the disease is to get the HPV vaccine.

Adding His Voice to the Chorus — Artist and Throat Cancer Survivor Michael Rees Gets Behind HPV Vaccine Awareness

The American Cancer Society recommends that boys and girls get the HPV vaccine between ages 9 and 12. The organization also stresses that teens and young adults through age 26 who are not already vaccinated should get the HPV vaccine as soon as possible.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, “About 85% of people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime. Vaccinating all 11–12-year-olds can protect them long before they are ever exposed. CDC recommends two doses of HPV vaccine for all adolescents at age 11 or 12 years.”

Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, explains the link between throat cancer and HPV in a previous interview with SurvivorNet.

Get the Facts: HPV Can Cause Cancer In Men Too

“There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears. And there are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the (HPV) virus,” Dr. Geiger said.

“However, there is no concern that you’re going to spread this cancer to your partner or to anyone else, because at this point your partner has already been exposed to the virus and likely cleared it.”

There’s no yearly screening for throat cancer, so doctors often discover the disease when a patient sees them with symptoms that may point to it. Some symptoms include:

• A cough
• Changes in your voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Ear pain
• A lump or sore that doesn’t heal
• A sore throat
• Weight loss

It’s important to note, however, that these symptoms are not exclusive to throat cancer. Still, you should always see a doctor if you have any changes to your health.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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