Noel Vasquez/GC ImagesUPDATE: Val Kilmer is undergoing tests for a possible tumor, his family's rep says. His diagnosis has not been revealed. Read the full statement below.
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Val Kilmer says he did not undergo an operation to remove a tumor despite recent reports, but has confirmed that he was hospitalized recently, in an intensive care unit.
The 55-year-old actor posted a statement on his Facebook page early on Saturday to clarify his health status.
"Thank you for all your sweet support. But I have not had a tumor, or a tumor operations, or any operation," he said. "I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the ucla ICU."
His family's rep released a statement to E! News later in the day.
"Val Kilmer is currently undergoing tests at a Los Angeles hospital for a possible tumor," the rep said, adding that the actor is "being cared for by his two children, Mercedes, 23 and son Jack who is 19, both LA residents."
"According to a family friend and spokesperson, the doctors are encouraged by his progress and are hopeful that Mr. Kilmer will make a full recovery," the rep added.
TMZ had reported on Friday that Kilmer was rushed to a hospital on Monday night after he started bleeding from his throat and underwent emergency surgery to treat a tumor. The Santa Monica Fire Department confirmed to People that a call came in late on Monday and that a patient was transported via ALS (advanced life support) to a UCLA medical center.
"Friends have assisted who know my spiritual convictions and have been most sensitive and kind for the extra effort in making sure there's minimum gossip and silly talk," Kilmer said in his Facebook post. "I am praying for a speedy return to the boards as they say. God bless you all and please don't worry. Love and deep affection, Val."
Kilmer has not spoken about his health publicly but had raised concerns about it among fans in recent years after appearing heavier than usual, then dropping a great deal of weight last September. His social media pages, however, have been continuously updated.
"I have been urged by friends to post something about my perfect health and weight loss. Can't win in this crazy town. Too heavy for too many years and now gossip says, too thin!" he said in a Facebook post on Dec. 23. "But I'm preparing as most of you know, for my dream role, Mark Twain, in a film I've written and will direct about his obsession with Mary Baker Eddy."
The actor is known for roles in movies such as Willow, Top Gun, Heat and Tombstone and in 2013, played Mark Twain in a one-man stage show, which he also directed. He reprises the role in a new drama film he is also helming, which is based on a screenplay he wrote himself and has been in development for at about four years. It is about the legendary author and Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Christian Science religious movement.
"Mark Twain was a thin man, and finally after the usual amount of effort, I'm thin again too," he said on Facebook. "Perfect health. Having a ball with my kids over the holidays, making art while doing rewrites, meeting actors and preparing to direct my film, and of course shopping. Have to go back to wearing a hood again while out in the hood. Can't win in this crazy town but as Chris Penn used to say with such a Devils grin, 'If you got the game then you don't need the fame.' See you at the Clippers game on Christmas!"