Val Kilmer makes first public appearance since denying cancer

Los Angeles: Actor Val Kilmer slurred his words and struggled to speak during an event here, his first public appearance since denying he has cancer earlier this month.

The 56-year-old actor was at the event to present the film version of his one-man play, "Citizen Twain". He addressed his health, saying he had to cancel his upcoming tour for the play because his "tongue swelled", reported Entertainment Tonight.

"I went into rehearsals down in Florida and started having trouble with my speech," he said. "Obviously, I'm still recovering. My tongue swelled up and I canceled the tour. As I'm recovering I'm showing this," he said.

Last month, actor Michael Douglas claimed Kilmer is battling tongue cancer during a Q&A with Jonathan Ross at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, England.

However, the "Top Gun" star took to Facebook shortly after to refute Douglas' comments.

"I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed. The last time I spoke to him was almost two years ago, when I asked him for a referral for a specialist to get a diagnosis for a lump in my throat," he wrote at the time.