The Daily

The Sunday Read: ‘What Happened to Val Kilmer?’

Apr 6, 2025

Discover the inspiring life of Val Kilmer, who faced throat cancer yet continued to fight creatively and positively. Hear about his artistic endeavors at Hellmell and the deep connection between his health struggles and spirituality. Explore the complexities of fame, identity, and the quest for authenticity in Hollywood. Reflect on profound themes of resilience and hope amidst adversity, alongside personal anecdotes that reveal the transformative power of storytelling and human connection during challenging times.

53:03

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Quick takeaways

Val Kilmer's journey showcases resilience through his reliance on faith and unwavering willpower in the face of his cancer diagnosis.

His diverse acting career illustrates the struggle to maintain authenticity while confronting the shifting dynamics of Hollywood and personal health challenges.

Deep dives

Val Kilmer's Resilience and Faith

Val Kilmer's journey highlights a profound story of resilience and faith in the face of adversity. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, he initially opted for non-medical treatment through prayer, driven by his Christian Science beliefs. However, after his children's pleas for medical intervention, he underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation that left him with significant health challenges. Despite these hardships, Kilmer's unwavering willpower and belief in faith as a healing force allowed him to continue expressing his artistic talents and maintain a positive outlook.

Intro

3min

The Resilient Spirit of Val Kilmer

21min

The Complexities of Fame and Talent

3min

Val Kilmer: Struggles and Transformations

12min

Exploring Holistic Healing vs. Medical Treatment

2min

Val Kilmer: Reflections on Life and Resilience

9min

Navigating Fear and Hope in a Tumultuous World

6min

“The force of his will is the thing I remember about him,” says Taffy Brodesser-Akner, who wrote a profile of Val Kilmer for The New York Times Magazine in May 2020. “He was sure he was going to come back to his exact former self. ”

The two met for an interview just as a lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic seemed all but certain to happen.

Mr. Kilmer, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and had undergone a tracheotomy, was still performing. Mr. Brodesser-Akner credits him with providing “the first whiff of overarching hope and positivity that I’d witnessed in I couldn’t remember how many months.”

“What does somebody do when the thing that they are known for, which is being a superhero, which is being an action hero, which is being handsome, which is being this sort of picture of good health and vigor, what do you do next?” she said. “And a lot of people, they fade away. But that’s not how it went for Val. ”

Mr. Kilmer, who played classic roles such as Batman and Iceman in “Top Gun,” died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 65.

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The Daily

The Sunday Read: ‘What Happened to Val Kilmer?’

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Val Kilmer's Resilience and Faith

The Artistic Essence of Kilmer's Career

Faith and Spirituality in Facing Challenges

Reconciliation Through Storytelling

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts