Bad things happen to good people.
That's just one of those little troubling facts of life that none of us are very thrilled
about, but what can you do?
Nothing can shield you from having to deal with many of life's speed bumps, hurdles,
and calamities.
Money, power, prestige – while all of these things can definitely add to one's quality
of life, they can't put a stop to hardships like health problems.
Sure, wealthy people tend to have access to superior healthcare facilities, services,
and procedures, but that doesn't mean their bank accounts act as some kind of magical
panacea to ward off all unwelcomed diagnosis.
Actor Val Kilmer knows this truth all too well,
Val is best known for his roles in hit films such as Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, John
Holmes in Wonderland, and Alexander.
And as of 2022, he's got an estimated net worth of $25 million.
So, there's no denying his success, but just like us, little people, he's had to deal with
plenty of things that are completely outside of his realm of control.
In the last several years, he's been plagued by serious health concerns.
As a result, he's actually lost his natural speaking voice.
Undoubtedly, if he could somehow use his money and connections to heal himself and get his
old life back, he would, but he knows that isn't possible.
Fortunately, however, advances in technology have recently given Kilmer something of a
second chance in life.
50 years ago, he would have been destined to spend the remainder of his life struggling
to express himself.
As such, his acting career would most assuredly be over.
Join Facts Verse as we discover how Val Kilmer finally got his voice back and what this might
mean for his future career prospects.
How Kilmer Lost His Voice
For movie star, there is virtually nothing worse that could happen to them than losing
their voice.
Many actors' and actresses' voices end up being their bread and butter.
Can you imagine what would become of their careers if people like Samuel L. Jackson or
Morgan Freeman lost the ability to speak?
Val Kilmer shocked the world in 2017 when he announced that he had been diagnosed with
throat cancer.
He previously denied the persistent rumors that he had been in ill health, but at that
point, there was nothing else he could do but be honest with his fans.
In 2015, he had been hospitalized for what his reps said were just tests for a possible
tumor.
He later took to social media to say that he did not have a tumor nor did he need any
kind of operation.
While in retrospect, it looks pretty likely that he was indeed aware of what he was dealing
with at the time, no one can blame the guy for wanting to keep details of his private
medical care out of the public spotlight.
In December 2017, it was reported that Kilmer had gone through a long, arduous two-year
battle with throat cancer and that he had to have a procedure done on his trachea that
ended up reducing his voice to little more than just a rasp.
We further learned that he had to undergo chemotherapy and two tracheotomies.
Kilmer now has to plug a stoma in his trachea in order to speak.
In 2020, Kilmer gave us all some very good news when he announced that he had been cancer-free
for four years.
While that certainly was a breath of fresh air, so to speak, he also revealed that he
was no longer able to eat and had to use a feeding tube to nourish himself.
While that was troubling to hear, we're still very pleased to know that Kilmer is no longer
dealing with cancer – at least for the time being.
In 2020, Kilmer published his book, I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir, which detailed some
of his ordeal in addition to various musings about his life and upbringing.
The following year, the documentary Val was released, which covered his life making use
of never-before-seen archival footage that he filmed himself.
In that critically acclaimed film, we got a chance to listen to what Kilmer's voice
sounded like post-cancer.
To hear his raspy, strained speech – especially when compared to his vocal delivery in his
previous films – was nothing short of painful.
It was very clear that Kilmer would never be able to accomplish what he had in his younger
years before he was stricken with throat cancer.
Or at least, that's what we all thought.
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Technology For The Win!
It's times like these that confirm that we are definitely living in the future!
With the help of UK-based software firm Sonantic, Val Kilmer can now speak once again with the
voice we all know and love.
Sonantic uses AI to clone voices.
Advances in machine learning technologies have done what many thought was impossible
just a few years ago.
The company released a brief clip with its initial results in August of 2021.
And we've just got to come and say it.
What they've managed to achieve through technology is nothing short of a miracle!
In the clip, Kilmer was seen speaking with the AI computer-assisted voice.
He explained that his voice, as he knew it, was taken from him, which led the people around
him to struggle to understand what he was saying.
He went on to express how frustrating this had been for him, especially since he still
felt like the same person he's always been.
Kilmer then explained how he was now able to express himself again.
He could bring the creative ideas that were swirling around his mind to those willing
to listen while showing them a part of himself again that was, as he put it, 'never truly
gone, but rather just 'hiding away'.
Kilmer played an active role in the development of the AI prototype.
He closely worked with Sonantic to provide archive recordings of his voice to create
the model.
In a statement that he shared with the media outlet The Wrap, Kilmer expressed his gratitude
to the entire team of Sonantic, who were able to masterfully restore his voice in a way
that he never thought possible.
Val continued by saying that the chance to narrate his story in a voice that felt both
authentic and familiar was an 'incredibly special gift'.
Sonantic's AI recreation of Val Kilmer's voice came shortly after the documentary film Val
was released.
While his new voice wasn't featured in the documentary, it's now fully conceivable that
the Top Gun actor will be able to make use of the AI voice on both a personal and professional
level however he pleases.
A New Lease On Life
It must feel so incredibly fantastic to be given a second chance at life in the way that
Val Kilmer has.
Many people diagnosed with throat cancer end up dying from the disease.
Still yet, those that do manage to pull through end up losing many of the 'quality of life'
features that they once probably took for granted.
Now that Kilmer has beaten the odds and overcome cancer, he's not going to take anything for
granted ever again.
In a blink of an eye, life as we know it can change in ways that we couldn't possibly anticipate.
Losing one's voice is just one of the many terrible things that can happen to us when
we least expect it.
But now that Kilmer has been his voice back and his throat cancer is in the rear-view
mirror, he wants to count his blessing and use his experiences to better the lives of
others.
In a Tweet posted in March of 2022, Kilmer shared that he his starting an artistic community
that he is calling Kamp Kilmer.
In the Tweet, Val stated that he had been an artist of various mediums for more than
half a century and that after surviving cancer, he feels reinvigorated to express his creative
spirit.
He now wants to share that spirit with others.
After finding a large studio in Hollywood, he's devoted himself to creating a space where
'artists, musicians, muses and collectors' can gather to celebrate creativity.
While the pandemic temporarily stifled his plans for his new community, he still believes
that he will prevail with his plans.
Kilmer went on to say that he had been dreaming of creating such a space since back when he
was living in the wilderness in New Mexico.
Val wants Kamp Kilmer to be a destination where creative minds can convene to express
themselves in innovative and exciting ways while contributing to the evolution of the
arts through connectivity and technology.
Kilmer says that those interested in joining his community can reach out to him through
Discord.
Kilmer Found Solace Through Art – And So Can You!
https://www.survivornet.com/articles/val-kilmer-kamp-kilmer/
After battling throat cancer and losing his voice, Kilmer found much solace and comfort
in art.
As a veteran actor, Val knows just how powerful and healing art can be.
In addition to receiving treatment, Val firmly believes that one of the best things cancer
patients can do is tap into their passions and talents.
Some may choose to do this through creative outlets like singing, dancing, crafting, or
painting, but regardless of what those outlets may be, they can be remarkably therapeutic
and even healing.
Art can help people come to grips with feelings of grief after suffering a cancer-related
loss.
This is true both for people living with cancer as well as their loved ones.
Not only does art offer a degree of physical healing power, but it's also extraordinarily
beneficial for people's mental health.
This has been well-documented and proven by countless medical studies.
One such study published in The Journal of the American Art Therapy Association in 2016
suggests that as little as one hour of creative activity can drastically reduce stress and
result in a positive effect on one's mental health.
That's true regardless of your talent or experience level.
Isn't it wonderful to see how well Val Kilmer is doing these days?
Just a couple of years ago, it was hard to imagine Kilmer's career recovering after his
cancer diagnosis and the subsequent loss of his voice.
But now it seems like Val is more motivated and capable than ever!
We can't wait to see how his ambitious Kamp Kilmer project pans out!
We're also excited to finally watch the long-anticipated film Top Gun: Maverick which is slated to
hit theaters on May 27, 2022.
In it Kilmer will be reuniting with his Top Gun co-star Tom Cruise playing Admiral Tom
'Iceman' Kazansky in what's looking to be one of the biggest films of the year.
Did you think that Val Kilmer would ever get his voice back, or did you think that he would
be forced to leave his acting career behind after his battle with throat cancer?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments section down below.
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