Val Kilmer Masks Mystery Ailment, but Just Draws More Intrigue

This masked man supposedly is Val Kilmer, pictured at LAX on Aug 11 (PacificCoastNews.com)

Val Kilmer is trying to keep his mysterious health condition under wraps.

Behind the white bandana and sunglasses and beneath the hoodie, supposedly you’ll find the Batman Forever star, who was photographed Tuesday as he made his way through Los Angeles International Airport. The 55-year-old’s disguise is an effort to prevent photographers from capturing him as he recovers from an unspecified medical procedure. However, the unusual getup just generates more intrigue as to what’s plaguing the star, especially because it’s become more extreme. Previously, he’d merely drape a scarf over his neck. Now he’s going full-Bieber.

Whatever is bothering Kilmer is more cosmetic than anything, the star insists. His last Facebook post in June said, “I am perfectly well folks… I do not have cancer or a tumor. There has been a swelling that I have covered during this period of recovery from a procedure I had done which was not an operation on this area.”

The actor — rocking a scarf — with his son, Jack, at a basketball game in December. (Getty Images)

He went on to say that he would be keeping covered up until he was back to normal.

“I imagine I’m going to keep wearing scarfs till the swelling goes down, even though it’s a silly look for LA SUMMER! Or LA EVER!” he wrote.

Rumors started about Kilmer’s health last December when the actor, whose weight has gone up and down through the years, looked extremely thin. Initial reports were that he was on a health kick and had “walked his a– off ” — literally. However, soon after TMZ reported that he had been hospitalized with a throat tumor and because of his Christian Science beliefs, he elected not to have it removed. (Though, again, he denied that he has a tumor.)

Kilmer posted this selfie on Feb. 25 after being released from the hospital. (Facebook)

What we do know is that Kilmer started wearing scarves around his neck late last year — around the time he lost all that weight. In January, he was hospitalized, but posted on Facebook, “I have not had a tumor, or a tumor operations, or any operation.” And he thanked “friends” who helped and “know my spiritual convictions.”

In early February, he was released from the hospital and, along with a selfie, wrote, “Freedom!!!!. Thanks again for all of your love and support. I’m so grateful.”

We’re sure he’ll be celebrating his freedom once again when he no longer has to wear disguises to get through every day activities.