Val Kilmer turned on the charm and put a smile on his face over the weekend while greeting fans in Detroit at Motor City Comic Con.
It was a rare public appearance for the actor, who last year revealed after much speculation that he had been battling throat cancer for two years and undergone a tracheotomy.
That procedure has since made it difficult for Kilmer to speak at times and often short of breath, which explains why he was so worn out after spending the day with fans on Saturday.
The actor, 58, posted a photo of himself to Facebook midday that showed him with his eyes nearly closed, while in another he also seemed ready to fall asleep while wearing a dog cap.
Batman forever: Val Kilmer appeared at Motor City Comic Con over the weekend in Detroit, and on Saturday posted photos of himself looking tired and worn out
Smiley: He spent the day posing for photos with fans who purchased his custom Funko pop toys, which sell for $80 and come with an autograph for another $80 (above)
Vacation: Kilmer was in New York City earlier in the week, attending a performance of Bruce Springsteen on Broadway (left) and heading out to Peter Brant’s estate (right)
Number one: Fans later noted how polite and friendly Kilmer was on social media
Kilmer was on-hand to sell Funko pop toys made in the likeness of some of his film characters, with the actor charging $80 for the figure and another $80 for an autograph.
He teased his appearance on Facebook earlier in the week.
‘This Saturday & Sunday, Detroit Comic Con, is getting closer. Decided to bring my personally crafted Doc, Chris Knight and a new limited Jim Morrison Funkos, PLUS my line of Doc, Iceman, The Saint, Mark Twain pins & newest Skull keychain,’ wrote Kilmer.
‘Of course, all available on my website too, but (spoiler alert) you better hurry cause we are making big changes coming there soon.’
The price-point did not seem to deter fans, who happily purchased the toys and posed for photos with Kilmer.
Many of those fans were quick to note how friendly Kilmer had been when they visited his booth.
‘Met Mr. Kilmer today. He appeared in good spirits yet frail. While waiting in line he poked his face through his booth curtain and looked out at crowd in a whimsical manner,’ wrote one fan on Facebook.
‘Have respect for this living icon. If you get a chance to meet him, do it.’
Another wrote: ‘Despite his limited speaking ability, Val Kilmer was so gracious and smiled this huge smile when we walked into the photo booth, and he thanked me several times when I later presented him with a letter I’d written along with some of my Hillsdale Batman goodies, including one of my Batarangs from my personal collection at his Signing booth.’
A panel Q&A had been planned for the afternoon as well, but that was cancelled at the last second due to transportation issues.
Some also complained that Kilmer was behind a curtain and could not be seen from the floor.
Prior to his trip to Detroit, Kilmer stopped off in New York City to catch Bruce Springsteen on Broadway.
He also headed out to Greenwich where he visited the home of art collector Peter Brant and his wife Stephanie Seymour.
O the mend: Kilmer announced that he had ‘a healing of cancer’ last May after he spent months denying reports that he had throat cancer
Cosplay: A panel Q&A had been planned for the afternoon as well, but that was cancelled at the last second due to transportation issues
Main man: ‘Met Mr. Kilmer today. He appeared in good spirits yet frail. While waiting in line he poked his face through his booth curtain and looked out at crowd in a whimsical manner,’ wrote one fan on Facebook
Kilmer announced that he had ‘a healing of cancer’ last May after he spent months denying reports that he had the disease.
The 57-year-old actor made the comment in a question-and-answer session on Reddit when he was asked by a user about Michael Douglas’ comment last year that Kilmer was dealing with the same condition that the Oscar winner had.
Douglas successfully battled oral cancer after being diagnosed in 2010. Kilmer responded on Facebook in November that he has ‘no cancer whatsoever’ and Douglas ‘is misinformed.’
Kilmer sresponded by statiung: ‘I did have a healing of cancer, but my tongue is still swollen although healing all the time.’
He then addressed the disease more directly in December during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
The actor said that his battle had changed him for the better in that intevriew, which he did alongside his two children.
‘I was too serious. I’d get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way,’ said Kilmer.
When pressed on that he added: ‘I would like to have more Oscars than anybody. Meryl Streep must feel pretty good, you know? It must feel nice to know that everyone loves her. It’s about being loved.’