Top Gun star Val Kilmer makes rare public appearance

A frail-looking Val Kilmer has stepped out in New York City following his battle with throat cancer amid buzz over the Top Gun sequel trailer.

Val Kilmer has been spotted taking a stroll in downtown New York just a few days after the Top Gun: Maverick trailer dropped at San Diego Comic-Con.

The actor, 59, confirmed in 2017 he had throat cancer.

RELATED: Tom Cruise makes surprise appearance to unveil Top Gun sequel trailer

Kilmer, who was sporting a Clippers hat, jeans and what looked like a trachea breathing device, wasn’t too responsive to a fan on the street that captured the actor on video.

Kilmer was spotted in NYC recently. Picture: KAT/MEGA

While rumours swirl about his health, Kilmer has kept his Facebook page active to squash fake news.

“I guess there’s some rumour I’ve passed on but I’m alive and well friends,” he wrote earlier this month.

Kilmer at The Novus SDG Moonshots Summit at the United Nations on July 20 in NYC. Picture: Rob Kim/Getty Images

He has battled health issues in recent years. Picture: Rob Kim/Getty Images

However, he will be reprising his role in the Top Gun sequel. Picture: Rob Kim/Getty Images

Reps for the veteran actor did not respond to requests for comment regarding his current health.

To celebrate the trailer for the sequel to the iconic 1986 film where he played opposite Tom Cruise, Kilmer posted a link to the video clip giving a nod to his co-star. Kilmer was previously confirmed to return as “Iceman”.

“You up for this one, Maverick?” he wrote.

Cruise was on hand to the surprise fans at Comic-Con to introduce the new Top Gun: Maverick trailer this week.

Kilmer, a father of two, makes appearances at various charity events; most recently the Monster Energy $50k celebrity charity basketball game, and he is active with art and his education foundation TwainMania.

Top Gun: Maverick is slated for a 2020 release.

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission