The bond between Cher and Val Kilmer has always been one of Hollywood’s most enduring and enigmatic friendships.

Decades after their whirlwind romance in the 1980s, the iconic singer and actress paid a heartfelt tribute to her ex-partner this week, joining a chorus of stars celebrating the legacy of the Top Gun actor as he continues his battle with throat cancer.

Kilmer, whose career has spanned blockbuster hits like Batman Forever, The Doors, and Heat, has faced profound health challenges in recent years, including a grueling fight against the disease that has left him with a reduced ability to speak.

Yet in the face of adversity, the 64-year-old actor has found an outpouring of love from Hollywood—none more touching than Cher’s recent gesture, which has reignited memories of their passionate, if complicated, relationship.

The two first met in 1983 on the set of the ill-fated film The Witches of Eastwick, though their connection deepened years later when they co-starred in the 1996 music drama Faithful.

Their romance was brief but intense, marked by a shared love of art, music, and a rebellious spirit that defied Hollywood norms. Cher, now 78, has rarely spoken publicly about Kilmer in recent years, but her recent tribute—a handwritten letter shared on social media—struck a chord with fans.

“Val, you’ve always been a warrior,” she wrote. “Not just on screen, but in life. Your strength, your talent, your soul… the world sees it, even when you think no one’s looking.

Keep shining, my friend.” The post was accompanied by a black-and-white photo of the pair from their Faithful days, Kilmer grinning mischievously as Cher playfully tugs his arm.

The gesture was met with an avalanche of support from fans and fellow celebrities. “This is what real love looks like,” wrote actress Amber Heard in the comments. “No bitterness, just respect.” Director Ron Howard added, “Two legends honoring each other.

Beautiful.” For those familiar with their history, Cher’s words carried layers of meaning. Their relationship, though short-lived, was a collision of two fiercely independent personalities.

Kilmer, known for his method acting and mercurial energy, often clashed with Cher’s larger-than-life persona. Yet their mutual admiration endured long after their split.

In his 2020 memoir I’m Your Huckleberry, Kilmer described Cher as “a force of nature” and admitted their time together was “electric, even when it was chaotic.”

Kilmer’s health journey has been equally tumultuous. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, he underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and a tracheotomy that severely impacted his voice.

For years, he retreated from public life, grappling with both physical and emotional pain. In a 2021 interview, he revealed that he’d “lost the ability to speak clearly” and struggled with feelings of isolation. But in classic Kilmer fashion, he refused to let the diagnosis define him.

He began documenting his recovery through art, writing, and a deeply personal documentary, Val, released in 2021, which offered an unflinching look at his struggles and triumphs.

The film earned widespread acclaim, with critics praising its raw honesty. “I wanted to show people that even when life knocks you down, you can still create,” Kilmer told Variety last year. “Art is my therapy. It’s how I speak now.”

His resilience has inspired not just fans, but his peers. Tom Cruise, Kilmer’s Top Gun co-star and longtime friend, recently reflected on their bond during a press event for Top Gun: Maverick, in which Kilmer reprised his iconic role as Iceman despite his health limitations. “Val is one of the most dedicated actors I’ve ever known,” Cruise said.

“To see him come back like that… it’s a testament to who he is. A fighter, but also an artist to his core.” The sequel included an emotional scene between Cruise’s Maverick and Kilmer’s Iceman, filmed with minimal dialogue to accommodate Kilmer’s condition.

Fans erupted in applause at screenings, many moved to tears by the moment. “That scene wasn’t just about the movie,” Cruise added. “It was about two friends saying, ‘We’re still here.’”

Other celebrities have also stepped forward to honor Kilmer. Actor Robert Downey Jr., who worked with Kilmer on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (a role Kilmer has called one of his favorites), shared a throwback photo of the two on set, writing, “Val taught me more about acting—and life—in one week than most do in a lifetime.

A true original.” Musician and actor Jared Leto, who considers Kilmer a mentor, posted a video of himself reciting a poem he’d written about Kilmer’s “unbreakable spirit.”

Even younger stars, like Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet, have cited Kilmer as an inspiration, with Chalamet calling him “a master of his craft” during a recent awards speech.

For Cher, the decision to publicly acknowledge Kilmer now seems tied to a broader reflection on their shared past. In recent interviews, she’s spoken candidly about aging in Hollywood and the importance of cherishing relationships, even those that didn’t last.

“Val and I… we were like two comets blazing through the sky,” she told People earlier this year. “We burned bright, and then we went our separate ways. But I’ll never regret loving someone who made me feel so alive.”

Her tribute, while simple, underscores a theme that has defined both their careers: reinvention. Just as Kilmer has found new ways to express himself post-cancer, Cher continues to defy expectations, touring relentlessly, advocating for social causes, and maintaining a social media presence that’s equal parts witty and vulnerable.

Kilmer, meanwhile, has embraced his role as a “survivor-artist.” He’s currently working on a memoir about his health journey, tentatively titled The Sawdust and the Sand, and has been collaborating with AI developers to recreate his pre-cancer voice using archival footage—a project he calls “giving myself the gift of being understood again.”

His son, Jack Kilmer, an actor and musician, recently shared that his father remains “fiercely creative,” painting daily and even writing screenplays. “He’s not slowing down,” Jack told Entertainment Weekly. “If anything, he’s more driven now than ever.”

The outpouring of support for Kilmer highlights a rare moment of unity in an often-divided industry. In an era where celebrity feuds and scandals dominate headlines, the collective celebration of Kilmer’s legacy feels refreshingly genuine.

It’s a reminder that behind the glitz and the box office numbers, Hollywood’s most enduring stories are often about human connection—love, friendship, and the quiet battles fought away from the cameras. As Cher wrote in her tribute, “Val, you’ve given the world so much. Now let the world give back to you.”

For fans, the message is clear: Kilmer’s story is far from over. Whether through his art, his advocacy, or the indelible mark he’s left on cinema, the actor continues to prove that even in the face of unimaginable challenges, creativity—and love—can be the ultimate act of defiance.

And as for Cher? Her gesture is a poignant reminder that some bonds, no matter how much time passes, remain unbroken. In a world obsessed with endings, their friendship is a testament to the beauty of unfinished stories.