‘Funny, crazy, pain in the ass’: Cher shares touching tribute to ex Val Kilmer

Icon Cher has shared a funny and moving tribute to Hollywood star Val Kilmer as she recalled their short-lived love affair and enduring friendship.

Kilmer was one of Hollywood’s most prominent leading men in the 1990s and sadly passed away on Tuesday, April 1 from pneumonia. He was 65 years old.

Taking to social media, the Believe singer paid tribute to Kilmer’s “brilliant” talent and remembered the important bonds he forged with her family.

“Valus, WILL miss you,” she wrote on X (formally twitter).

“U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the ass, GREAT FRIEND, kids (love) U.”

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 (@cher) April 2, 2025

The pair dated after they met at a birthday party in the 1980s but remained close friends after the relationship ended.

The I Got U Babe singer also commended Kilmer’s bravery during his “sickness.”

In 2014, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, and a tracheostomy, which permanently altered his voice, leaving it raspy.

He wrote in his memoir that Cher invited Kilmer to stay in her guest house while his health was declining and supported him during some of his darkest days.

Since the news of his passing, tributes have poured in from poured in from across the entertainment world from fans, friends and colleagues.

Rest in peace, Val Kilmer. pic.twitter.com/3nGA0SzKGS

— Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) April 2, 2025

I and so many will miss the great Val Kilmer who was kind and brilliant and incredibly cool. A beautiful creative artist whose work will live on. Sending love to his family💙.

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) April 2, 2025

Val Kilmer rest in peace 🙏🏻😇 pic.twitter.com/iZSRHiIklt

— Ralph Fiennes (@mrralphfiennes) April 2, 2025

Val Kilmer was a great actor, a wonderful person, and a dear friend of mine. May you rest in peace 🕊 pic.twitter.com/QbUrhINioB

— Danny Trejo (@officialDannyT) April 2, 2025

Born in Los Angeles on December 31, 1959, Kilmer’s passion for acting began in high school. He would go on to become the youngest student ever accepted into the prestigious drama division at the Juilliard School in New York.

Kilmer made his film debut in the spy spoof Top Secret! (1984), but rose to global fame with his portrayal of naval aviator Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the smash-hit Top Gun (1986), alongside Tom Cruise.

One of his most challenging and rewarding roles came in Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991), where Kilmer portrayed Jim Morrison, the charismatic yet doomed lead singer of the iconic rock band.

Kilmer also starred in a series of notable films, including The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) with Michael Douglas, The Saint (1997) with Elisabeth Shue, At First Sight (1999) with Mira Sorvino, Red Planet (2000), The Salton Sea (2002), Wonderland (2003), and Alexander (2004), as well as the cult favourite Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) alongside Robert Downey Jr.