Val Kilmer says Michael Douglas is 'misinformed' after actor appears to suggest he has cancer

Top Gear actor says he has 'no cancer whatsoever' 

Heather Saul
Wednesday 02 November 2016 13:28 GMT
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Top Gun actor Val Kilmer lost his small claims court battle in Van Nuys with the landlord of his Malibu mansion to get back his deposit after wallpapering over the kitchen cabinets
Top Gun actor Val Kilmer lost his small claims court battle in Van Nuys with the landlord of his Malibu mansion to get back his deposit after wallpapering over the kitchen cabinets

Val Kilmer has issued a statement about his health after Michael Douglas appeared to suggest he had been diagnosed with cancer.

The Top Gear actor said he has “no cancer whatsoever” a day after Douglas, who was diagnosed with stage four oral cancer in 2010, reportedly told an event in London that Kilmer “is dealing with exactly what I had”.

“The picture didn’t turn out as well as I hoped but I had a wonderful time,” Douglas, 72, told Jonathan Ross during a discussion about the 1996 film they appeared in together, The Ghost and the Darkness, according to Variety. “Val was a wonderful guy who is dealing with exactly what I had, and things don’t look too good for him.”

Kilmer, 56, responded to reports in a message on his Facebook page, where he said he received treatment for a lump in his throat two years ago. He did not specify what the lump was or the type of treatment he received.

“I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed. 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. I've made three films in the last year, one of which I directed and am presenting as a personal appearance introducing it and then answering questions after.

“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.”

A spokesperson for Douglas declined to comment on Kilmer's post.

Kilmer has repeatedly denied having a tumour after being admitted into UCLA for treatment in 2013. He said at the time: “I have not had a tumour, or a tumour operations, or any operation. I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the UCLA ICU.”

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