How Val Kilmer bravely battled cancer that left him using electronic voice box & feeding tube before his death aged 65

VAL KILMER was left using an electronic voice box and feeding tube after bravely battling his cancer before his death aged 65.

The legendary actor began his throat cancer battle in 2014 and later underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

This tough battle forced him to step back from the Hollywood spotlight for a number of years, having made his final public red carpet appearance in 2019.

After undergoing both radiotherapy and chemotherapy in his cancer fight, the star also had a tracheostomy in 2015 to help him breathe.

This procedure permanently damaged his vocal cords and left the iconic actor's voice forever altered.

Kilmer would cover his neck in a scarf following the surgery, and he has spoken out before on how he had to use an electric voice box on the artificial hole in his throat in order to speak.

In a candid Amazon Prime documentary entitled Val, the Top Gun and Batman Forever star said: “I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel.

“I can't speak without plugging this hole [in his throat].”

Voice boxes are devices, typically battery-operated, that produce sound to imitate a voice.

They are often used to help those suffering from throat cancer be able to communicate.

The actor also faced numerous other challenges, including having meals given to him through a feeding tube.

He said: “You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It's an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.”

The legendary actor had initially kept his cancer diagnosis secret before revealing his struggles in the 2021 documentary.

Kilmer can be seen speaking on camera using the voice box in footage he shot of himself both at home and behind the scenes on a number of his acting projects.

He had previously explained how he was unaware of his throat cancer until he coughed up “coagulated blood” one day.

The star manged to call for an ambulance before passing out and later woke up in a Santa Monica hospital after having an emergency tracheotomy.

In an interview with Good Morning America in 2020, Kilmer said he had “healed very quickly”, following his throat cancer diagnosis.

The actor even held his hand to his throat, explaining the procedure he had gone through in order to help him breathe.

When asked what he missed most about his voice, Kilmer joked about how he “didn't laugh like a pirate” before undergoing the surgery.

The star passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday aged 65 after suffering from pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes confirmed.

Kilmer became a household name when he played fighter pilot Tom “Iceman”; Kazansky in Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise.

After finding success on the beloved classic, Kilmer went on to play his biggest role as Batman in Batman Forever.

In the 1995 superhero flick he took on Jim Carrey as The Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones as Two Face.

He also had huge roles as musician Jim Morrison in The Doors, True Romance, Heat and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

The American's incredible spell ofHollywoodblockbusters in the 80s and 90s made him one of the highest paid stars of that generation.

His daughter, 33, told the New YorkTimes her father died surrounded by his family and friends.

Kilmer's final career role saw him return to the Top Gun franchise where he first found global success.

Thirty six years after playing the “Iceman”, he made a brief cameo in the film's 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick.

Aside from Mercedes, 33, he is also survived by son Jack Kilmer, 29.

Kilmer was married to his children's mum Joanne from 1988 until 1996.

Across his glittering career he also had relationships with Hollywood stars including Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie, Carly Simon and Cher.

Tributes have already started to pour in for Kilmer.

Fellow actor Josh Gad said he was “an icon”;.

On Instagram Gad said: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood.

“You truly were an icon.”;

The official Top Gun X account also posted: “Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman.”

Goonies and Avengers star Josh Brolin also posted a touching tribute to his close friend alongside a snap of the pair smiling.

It read: “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.”