The famous Val Kilmer made an indelible impression on Hollywood, particularly in his iconic portrayal in the western classic Tombstone, with Kurt Russell.
But not long ago, Russell disclosed a shocking fact about Kilmer’s wicked sense of humor, particularly when it came to the presents he offered. Hollywood is still mourning the death of Val Kilmer, who died on April 1 at the age of 65. Legendary directors, including Ron Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, and Michael Mann, have paid tribute to the actor’s amazing career.
And, in a recently discovered 2024 interview, Kilmer’s Tombstone co-star Kurt Russell told a little-known tale that provides insight into the late actor’s wicked sense of humor, particularly the remarkable presents they received after making the Western classic.
Kurt Russell, 74, spoke with GQ about the practice of performers sharing presents after closing a film — but he noted that it was never a duty. “If you’re asking me if it was great working with Val Kilmer, who played Doc Holliday on Tombstone, the answer is absolutely,” Russell told the audience.
He added, “Back then, especially when working with people, you’d give or swap gifts at the end of the event.” It’s not required; it’s not something you or they have to do.”
It was a wonderfully unusual present.
Kurt Russell wanted to give Val Kilmer a genuinely unique gift after wrapping Tombstone, so he asked his driver to get a few important artifacts from the set.
“I asked my driver if he could ‘get a hold’ of Kilmer’s holster, gun, hat, and chair with his name on the back,” Russell went on. “Take a picture, and then in that picture, I wanted to have this thing.” The Hollywood veteran has a giant surprise for his co-star.
Russell said that he gave Kilmer a burial spot at Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone, Arizona, which is the same historic cemetery where many iconic Old West characters are buried. Kilmer, on the other hand, had a similarly grim sense of humor when it came to buying gifts.
“I give Val this present, and he looks at me, and he turns to his driver and says, ‘Give it to me.'” Russell told me. “Because what I had acquired, Val, was a plot in Boothill. Val had acquired me one acre of land that overlooked Boothill.”
Behind-the-scenes details
Russell could not help but giggle at the absurdity of their conversation. “Doc Holliday was all about death, but Wyatt’s all about life,” he told me. “I believe that sums it up perfectly.”
Another humorous behind-the-scenes vignette in Tombstone exemplifies Val Kilmer’s acute sense of humor. According to Kilmer, author Kevin Jarre was keen that the players wear historically correct wool clothes during filming the 1993 film to keep genuine to the time. The lighting was especially terrible when filming in Arizona’s blistering heat. Kilmer recalls seeing a thermometer on site that showed 134 degrees Fahrenheit (ca. 57 °C). Kilmer remarked that the terrible heat may explain Doc Holliday’s lethal reputation. “He wore wool in the summer in the Arizona territory, which could have contributed to his irritability.”
I have a huge admiration for Russell.
Val Kilmer’s gift and later comments about Kurt Russell show he respected him. In 2017, Kilmer publicly thanked Russell for Tombstone’s popularity, stating that Russell played a significant influence in crafting the film. “He was solely responsible for Tombstone’s success, no question.” Mercedes, Kilmer’s daughter, confirmed to The New York Times that her father died on Tuesday from pneumonia complications.