Following the announcement of Val Kilmer’s death at age 65 on April 1, 2025, his former girlfriend, Cher, shared a heartfelt tribute to the actor on X (formerly Twitter).
In her post on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Cher wrote: “VALUS Will miss u. U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the ass, GREAT FRIEND, kids U. BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness.”
Cher and Kilmer were romantically involved in the early 1980s after meeting at her birthday party. Despite their breakup after two years, they remained close friends. Cher has often spoken fondly of Kilmer, describing him in a 2021 interview with People as “like nobody I’ve ever known” and someone who was “exasperating and hysterical. Thrilling and funny, and doesn’t do what anyone else does.”
In a November 2024 interview with Howard Stern, Cher revealed that Kilmer was one of the few men who had ever broken up with her, attributing it partly to their age difference. However, their bond remained strong, with Cher supporting Kilmer through his battle with throat cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2014.
Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that her father passed away from pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, surrounded by family and friends. Tributes from other Hollywood figures and fans have also poured in, remembering Kilmer for his iconic roles in films such as “Top Gun,” “The Doors,” and “Tombstone.”