Val Kilmer reportedly underwent emergency surgery on a throat tumour this week.

The 55-year-old actor, who has 23-year-old daughter Mercedes and 19-year-old son Jack with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, is said to be recovering from the procedure in Los Angeles after being rushed to hospital on Monday night (26.01.15) when he began bleeding from his throat.

A law enforcement source claims paramedics received a 911 call from someone at the 'Top Gun' star's home in Malibu and brought him straight to UCLA Medical Centre in Santa Monica, where doctors performed the surgery.

The insider told gossip website TMZ.com that the actor's family members have been upset because they think Val ignored the problem for some time and allowed his condition to become more serious.

The star previously told a judge he was unable to speak because his tongue was swollen when he appeared in a small claims court in relation to a dispute with his former landlord in October.

The 'Heat' star appeared to be in good health when he attended an LA Lakers basketball game with Jack on January 16, but was photographed with a scarf around his neck.