Val Kilmer embraces life after throat cancer: Actor spotted in NYC for United Nations speech amid buzz over Top Gun: Maverick trailer
Val Kilmer stepped out in New York City on Saturday while in town to speak at an event at the United Nations.
The 59-year-old was snapped looking casual in a bold, patterned ensemble featuring a Los Angeles Clippers hat as he carried his luggage.
Kilmer previously battled throat cancer, which he revealed in 2017, and a medical device from a tracheostomy was visible on his neck during his outing.
Val wore a funky pair of jeans that were covered with what looked like hand written messages in different colored markers paired with a printed short-sleeve button up.
The actor opted for a pair of big sunglasses and his NBA team’s hat while dragging a rolling suitcase in one hand and carrying a hand held one in another.
Kilmer kept a scarf untied and draped around his neck which he also rocked tied up beneath a tuxedo that same day for the more formal dress code at the 2019 Novus Summit.
The event aims to unite the science, technology and innovation community around the world and find ways to achieve sustainable development goals.
Kilmer was honored at the UN for his work with the TwainMania Foundation.
According to Novus’ website, The TwainMania Foundation, founded by Kilmer, ‘uses art and education to inspire people of all backgrounds and ages to learn what it means to be an American’, through the legacy and lessons of Mark Twain.
It was born out of Kilmer’s HELMEL Studios, a space for artists to create art and performances pieces, and to promote collaborations that spark change local communities.
Along with a picture of the UN building, the star wrote on his Instagram page: ‘The past 72 hours have been some of the most intense days of my life. And here we are.’
‘Getting ready to speak at the United Nations in July, to share how @twainmania will help bring empathy, tolerance and literacy to schools throughout America. More to come!.’
Kilmer had battled throat cancer, which he revealed during his December 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
In 2017, the father-of-two spoke of his two-year battle with throat cancer, and underwent a tracheostomy that left him with a raspy voice and shortness of breath.
His appearance at the UN came just days after the Top Gun: Maverick trailer was released at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday.
Val Kilmer, who played Lt. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in the original, will reprise his role in the sequel, though he wasn’t featured in the new trailer.
He played the debonair adversary to Tom Cruise’s character Lt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, the actor shared a trailer of the much-anticipated sequel along with the caption: ‘You up for this one, Maverick?.’
Last year, Cruise said that it was ‘special’ working with Kilmer again, 32 years after they worked on the iconic action movie together.
Back in 2015, Val ‘jumped the topgun,’ when he revealed on Facebook that he was offered a role in Top Gun: Maverick.
‘Offered #topgun2 — not often you get to say ‘yes’ without reading the script…’ he said.
He then added: ‘I jumped the gun with my post. I jumped the topgun…an innocent mistake. It was just such a wonderful phone call with my agent.’
Top Gun: Maverick is slated to hit theaters June 26, 2020
