Val Kilmer’s voice was left forever changed after he was forced to undergo an emergency tracheotomy following a throat cancer diagnosis.

The Hollywood legend – who died from pneumonia on Tuesday after a long health battle – was diagnosed with throat cancer after coughing up blood in 2014.

He was rushed to hospital and had two emergency tracheotomies – where a hole is created in the neck and windpipe for a tube to be inserted to breathe – as well as chemotherapy and radiation.

The cancer caused his tongue to swell and block his lymph pᴀssages and after the surgeries, Kilmer had to put a finger to the aperture in his throat to speak and be understood.

Kilmer revealed he had been free of cancer for four years in 2020, but the tracheotomies permanently affected his ability to speak.

He lost his natural voice and had to use an electronic voice box to communicate, opening up about his struggles in his 2021 Prime documentary, Val.

Val Kilmer’s voice was left forever changed after he was forced to undergo an emergency tracheotomy following a throat cancer diagnosis (he is pictured in October 2019) 

After stepping back from the public eye, Kilmer emotionally admitted it was ‘difficult to talk and be understood’ amid his lengthy recovery from throat cancer.

‘I’ve tried to see the world, as one piece of life,’ Kilmer said using his voice box during the documentary.

Though communication became more difficult for Kilmer, the Batman star insisted it was just like any other challenge he had to tackle in life. 

‘I’m doing great. I feel a lot better than I sound,’ Kilmer told Good Morning America in a 2020 interview.

Incredibly, Kilmer’s voice was recreated using AI technology, which was used when he emotionally returned to screens for the Top Gun sequel in 2022.

London-based firm AI company Sonantic recreated his voice in a lifelike yet artificial mock-up, which Kilmer was able to use to help him communicate in everyday life. 

Praising the results, Kilmer shared: ‘I’m grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who masterfully restored my voice in a way I’ve never imagined possible.

‘As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence and the effects from throat cancer have made it difficult for others to understand me. 

The cancer caused his tongue to swell and after the surgeries, Kilmer had to put a finger to the aperture in his throat to speak using an electronic voice box (pictured in his documentary Val)

WHAT IS A TRACHEOTOMY?

According to the NHS, a tracheostomy is a surgical opening in the wall of the trachea (windpipe) to facilitate ventilation. The term for the surgical procedure to create this opening is tracheotomy.

The opening is usually maintained by use of a tracheostomy tube.

A tracheostomy may be created for a number of reasons – including to deliver oxygen to the lungs when a person is unable to breathe normally after an injury or accident.

Or it can be created because their muscles are very weak.

It can also allow a person to breathe if their throat is blocked – this can be caused by a swelling, a tumour, or something stuck in their throat and to reduce the risk of food or fluid going into the lungs.

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‘The chance to tell my story, in a voice that feels authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift.’ 

Kilmer then reduced fans to tears when he returned to screens as Lieutenant Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick, with his voice heard once again using AI.

He was famed for his role as Iceman in the 1986 smash hit original Top Gun and lead star Tom Cruise, 62, rallied to make sure Kilmer could return as his on-screen rival.

In what would become Kilmer’s final ever film role, Iceman, who had been promoted to Admiral, returned to screens for a cameo alongside Tom Cruise’s Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell.

Iceman communicated with Maverick via typed words on a screen and AI technology was used to regenerate Kilmer’s voice so some of his words could be heard out loud.

After their emotional on-screen conversation, where Iceman advised Maverick to ‘let go’ of the past and move on, scenes saw Maverick attending his friend’s funeral.

Viewers were left in tears at the emotional scenes at the time and fans have been re-watching the poignant moment after the news of Kilmer’s death.

Comments included: ‘This Scene hits 10 times harder now… RIP Val’; ‘Time to watch Maverick again. There couldn’t have been a better sendoff. RIP Val Kilmer’;

Incredibly, Kilmer’s voice was recreated using AI technology, which was used when he emotionally returned to screens for the Top Gun sequel in 2022  

He was famed for his role as Iceman in the 1986 smash hit original Top Gun movie (pictured) and lead star Tom Cruise, 62, rallied to make sure Kilmer could return as his on-screen rival 

Read MoreLIVE Val Kilmer updates: Tributes pour in as Top Gun star dies aged 65

‘What a fitting send off for Val Kilmer, thank you for giving us Iceman. Rest in peace’; ‘Rest in Peace Mr. Kilmer, a great actor and a beautiful final film performance’;

‘This is how you show respect and honor for legacy characters and their relationships. Beautiful scene’; ‘We love you Iceman. Fly high in paradise. RIP Val.’

The scene was equally as moving for Kilmer and Cruise as the American actor previously revealed there wasn’t a dry eye in the house during filming.

Kilmer described his return to the franchise after 36 years as ‘very personal and moving’ as he lauded his friendship with Cruise.

He shared: ‘Tom and I get along really well. We giggled like little kids in school between takes. 

‘I consider him a real friend. We shared intimate stories and challenges about our different lifestyles!’

Director Joseph Kosinski also told how both of the actors had tears in their eyes while shooting the touching scene.

‘After one of the takes (we only did a few) I noticed that both Tom and Val had tears in their eyes. It felt like a genuine moment between two old friends,’ he shared.

Iceman communicated with Maverick via typed words on a screen and AI technology was used to regenerate Kilmer’s voice so some of his words could be heard out loud 

Kilmer described his return to the franchise after 36 years as ‘very personal and moving’ and admitted both he and Cruise were reduced to tears while filming the scenes 

Kilmer stepped back from the public eye after his cancer diagnosis and health battles and stopped attending red carpet events in 2019.

However, Kilmer kept up with fans over the years by sharing his artwork and rare selfies to his Instagram.

Less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025.

He uploaded footage of himself hanging out in a padded room with artist/musician David Choe, which was originally filmed in 2021.

In the clip, Kilmer spoke briefly before trying on a custom Batman mask made for him by Choe, quipping that it had ‘been a while’ since he’d relived his Batman glory days.

Kilmer’s final Instagram post was published on March 22, featuring a pH๏τo of one of his original paintings, which he’d signed and posted on his website for sale.

‘It’s got that late-night glow,’ he wrote of the artwork. ‘Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you’re still wide awake.’

The Hollywood legend died from pneumonia at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long health battle.

Kilmer (pictured in July 2019) died from pneumonia at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long health battle 

Less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025. He uploaded footage of himself discussing Batman in 2021 

One of Hollywood’s most prominent leading men in the 1990s, Kilmer was also famed for playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 hit Batman Forever 

Read More Hollywood stars pay tribute to ‘brave’ Val Kilmer in emotional posts after death at 65

He is survived by his daughter Mercedes, 33, and a son Jack, 29, who he shared his his ex-wife Joanne Whalley. He was married to Joanne from 1988 until 1996. 

Kilmer was one of Hollywood’s most prominent leading men in the 1990s before numerous spats with directors and co-stars and a series of flops dented his career.

‘When certain people criticize me for being demanding, I think that’s a cover for something they didn’t do well. I think they’re trying to protect themselves,’ Kilmer told the Orange County Register newspaper in 2003.

‘I believe I’m challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.’

He made his film debut starring in the spy spoof Top Secret! (1984) before appearing in the goofy comedy Real Genius (1985). 

He then rocketed to stardom as Tom Cruise’s co-star in the smash 1986 hit Top Gun and was also famed for playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in 1995’s Batman Forever.