Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer fought to reprise his role in 'Top Gun: Maverick.' And now the throat cancer survivor gets to celebrate the film's success.

[RELATED: A Woman Who Started Smoking at Age 11 Went on to Fight Three Throat Cancer Battles; Understanding Smoking and its Affect on Cancer Risk](https://www.survivornet.com/articles/a-woman-who-started-smoking-before-age-11-faced-throat-cancer-three-times/) [Adding His Voice to the Chorus – Artist and Throat Cancer Survivor Michael Rees Gets Behind HPV Vaccine Awareness](https://www.survivornet.com/articles/adding-his-voice-to-the-chorus-artist-and-cancer-survivor-michael-rees-gets-behind-hpv-vaccine-awareness/) [The American Cancer Society recommends](https://www.cancer.org/healthy/hpv-vaccine.html#:~:text=The%20American%20Cancer%20Society%20recommends,3%20shots%20instead%20of%202.) that boys and girls get the HPV vaccine between ages 9 and 12. [RELATED: A Woman’s Throat Cancer Mistaken For Tonsillitis For A Year– How To Push Your Doctor For Answers That Matter](https://www.survivornet.com/articles/a-womans-throat-cancer-mistaken-for-tonsillitis-for-a-year-how-to-push-your-doctor-for-answers-that-matter/) Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box or tonsils. Jessica Geiger](https://www.survivornet.com/author/dr-jessica-geiger/), a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, explains the link between throat cancer and HPV in a previous interview with SurvivorNet. [Former College Cheerleader Reinvents Herself After Surviving Ovarian Cancer](https://www.survivornet.com/articles/former-college-cheerleader-reinvents-herself-after-surviving-ovarian-cancer/) [ovarian cancer](https://www.survivornet.com/journey/ovarian-cancer/) at just 20 years old. “There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears. - Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box or tonsils. [Get the Facts: What Do We Know About HPV-Linked Throat Cancer?](https://www.survivornet.com/articles/get-the-facts-what-do-we-know-about-hpv-linked-throat-cancer/) Since Kilmer has used a voice box to speak ever since his throat cancer battle, he had almost no verbal dialogue in the film. His character was ill in the movie, so he often typed his responses out on a computer screen when speaking to Cruise’s character. [Read More](javascript:void(0);) [Kilmer wrote in his memoir](https://people.com/movies/val-kilmer-begged-tom-cruise-return-top-gun-maverick/).

Val Kilmer is celebrating after his movie "Top Gun: Maverick" was nominated for Best Motion Picture at the Golden Globe Awards.

Top Gun: Maverick actor Val Kilmer also said "For both [Iceman and Maverick] to be back in this movie, it was a really special moment. After everything that Kilmer has been through, we’re glad that he is able to celebrate Hollywood success once again with a movie of his being toasted on the awards circuit. “On top of that, the addition of the new ensemble cast was perfect. “[Val] is an actor that I greatly admire, so it was wonderful.” “And when the movie was released this summer, the response was just amazing!” Kilmer said. Almost 40 years is a long time for a reunion,” Kilmer told This comes after an extremely difficult couple of years for Kilmer, who had to undergo a tracheotomy in 2014 after being diagnosed with throat cancer. But, to be honest, with Tom, [director] Joseph Kosinski, and [executive producer] Jerry Bruckheimer at the helm, there was no doubt the film would be a smash.” “Coming back to work with Tom more than 30 years later, it was like no time had passed at all,” he continued, referring to his co-star Tom Cruise. It made for a very engaging story to have the young guns led by the veterans… It was really fun – really special.” Val Kilmer in Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick