Cher and Tom Cruise Reconnect Over Shared Heartache and Memories of Val Kilmer

@Kasper/ MEGA

Cher and Tom Cruise have reconnected — over the loss of their mutual friend Val Kilmer.

“For Tom, Val was a trusted friend and colleague and someone he respected wholeheartedly,” reveals an insider. “For Cher, Val was the boyfriend who broke her heart, and she always carried a torch for him.”

Sources say Cher and Tom, who dated each other in the 1980s, were rocked by Val’s shocking April 1 death and have been burning up the phone lines trying to console each other.

“They have both been in close communication with Val throughout his battle with cancer, and his death has brought them closer together than ever,” says the insider.

While mourning Val’s death, Tom and Cher have apparently been bonding over told times, something the Tombstone star might have enjoyed.

“They’re certain Val would’ve gotten a kick out of knowing they’re back in touch in a big way and that his exit from this world was the gateway to that,” explains the insider.

Joe Russo / MEGA

Cher, 79, and Tom, 62, dated briefly after meeting at Madonna and Sean Penn‘s wedding in 1985, finding common ground in that they are both dyslexics.

Coincidentally, the notorious If I Could Turn Back Time singer also dated Val between 1982 and 1984 and they remained friends afterward.

“It’s interesting for Tom to share that history with Cher,” says the insider. “It’s not weird to them at all. In fact, it’s comforting that they both knew Val so well.”

Tom considered himself lucky to have reunited with his Top Gun costar for the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick.

He even gushed about the experience on Jimmy Kimmel Live, saying, “I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional. He’s such a brilliant actor. I love his work.”

After Val’s death at the age of 65, Tom led a moment of silence for him at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.

Mega

Meanwhile, Cher bid farewell to Kilmer on X, writing, “VALUS,” her nickname for the star. “Will miss u. U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the ass, GREAT FRIEND, kids [love] U.”

She noted he was as “brilliant” as iconic writer Mark Twain, who Val portrayed in both a play and a movie.

“Tom and Cher’s love for Val is a common thread, and they’re glad to have each other in their lives,” says our source. “They’ve gotten so close there’s talk they may even get back together as a couple.”