When Cancer Took His Voice, Val Kilmer Communicated Through Art

63-year old Val Kilmer built a diverse resume with something for everyone, be it fantasy, comedy, or military drama. Tragically, cancer cost Kilmer his voice, but when expressing himself audibly became near impossible, he instead accomplished the same through art. How?

Almost a decade ago, Kilmer battled throat cancer. He underwent a procedure on his trachea that aided him in his cancer battle but made it difficult to breathe and left his voice as little more than a rasp. On top of this loss, Kilmer also found himself unable to vent his deeper, messier thoughts, which led him to abstract art.

Val Kilmer uses art to communicate and channel his creativity

With a history of not just an extensive filmography but also important voice work – perhaps most notably DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt – Kilmer found himself at a significant loss when he could no longer communicate like he used to. “With little voice, my creative juices were boiling over and pouring out of me,” shared Kilmer on his website.

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He continues, “I started creating again, painting, writing anything I could. I felt the art healing me. I wanted to share this with others.”

His website and his social media pages play host to the artwork he has created through this new artistic journey. Over the summer, he shared images of his abstract series, the last of which was shared on June 24. “I hope that you’ve found a connection or a message of your own gathered from one of these pieces,” he said in the captions. “Art is an expression of the creator but It is meant to be shared, to ignite conversations, and to inspire. My role is not just that of a creator but also a conduit, connecting hearts and minds through the universal language of imagery.”

Val Kilmer also aims to inspire others through his art

In recent years, Kilmer opened up his own art studio, HelMel Studios, based in Los Angeles. He’s also been featured in the Lumberyard Gallery in Malibu, California. Whenever his art reaches someone on an emotional level, Kilmer feels victorious.

“I’m so grateful for the response to my art,” he said on Instagram. He has a piece depicting author Mark Twain, who he’s found particularly inspiring over the years. In fact, from his HelMel Studios was born Kilmer’s TwainMania Foundation, which is dedicated to educating children about the writer’s legacy. Kilmer’s work with the charity has earned him an award for his philanthropic efforts.

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