Especially with his iconic part in the western classic Tombstone, in which he acted with Kurt Russell, the renowned Val Kilmer established an indelible image on Hollywood that will never be forgotten.
A unexpected fact that displayed Kilmer’s wicked sense of humour was revealed by Russell not too long ago. This was especially true when it came to the gifts that Kilmer offered.
A tale that is not widely known
Despite the fact that Val Kilmer passed away on April 1 at the young age of 65, the entertainment industry is still in sorrow over his passing. The amazing legacy of the actor has been honoured by a multitude of tributes, including those from renowned directors such as Ron Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, and Michael Mann.
A little-known story that offers a look into the late actor’s macabre sense of humour was offered by Kilmer’s co-star in Tombstone, Kurt Russell, in an interview that was just rediscovered in 2024. This story is particularly noteworthy when it comes to the remarkable presents that they exchanged after filming the western classic.
While speaking with GQ, Kurt Russell, who is 74 years old, pondered on the custom of performers sharing presents following the completion of a film. However, he made it clear that this practice was never required of them.
As for the question of whether or not it was a pleasure to collaborate with Val Kilmer, who played Doc Holliday on Tombstone, the answer is unequivocally yes, according to Russell.
“In those days, especially when you were working with people, sometimes at the end of the show you would get them gifts or trade gifts,” he went on to add. “In those days, that was especially true.” It is not required, which means that you are not required to do it, nor is it anything that they are required to do.
Such a one-of-a-kind present
Following the wrapping of Tombstone, Kurt Russell wanted to provide Val Kilmer with a present that was truly one of a kind, so he sought the assistance of his driver to gather a few essential pieces from the set.
Russell added, “I asked my driver if he could ‘get a hold’ of Kilmer’s holster, gun, hat, and chair with his name on the back.” Each of these items had Kilmer’s name printed on the back. I wanted to have this thing in the image that you took, so I took a picture of it.
In store for his co-star was a significant surprise that the Hollywood great had in store for him.
A burial space at Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone, Arizona, which is the same historic cemetery where many renowned people from the Old West were laid to rest, was discovered to be a gift from Russell to Kilmer. Regarding the act of gift-giving, Kilmer, on the other hand, possessed a sense of humour that was equally as grim.
“Val looks at me and then turns to his driver and says, ‘Give it to me,'” Russell recalled. “I give Val this present, and he looks at me.” “Because what I had obtained from Val was a game plan at Boothill,” she said. One acre of land with a view of Boothill was what Val had procured for me.
Particulars from the backstage area
Russell couldn’t help but giggle at the irony of their conversation because of how it turned out. “Doc Holliday was all about death, but Wyatt is all about life,” he remarked. “They are completely different.” “I suppose that pretty much sums up everything right there.”
Val Kilmer’s sharp sense of humour is put on full display in yet another hilarious behind-the-scenes detail from the film Tombstone. Kilmer claims that author Kevin Jarre was adamant that the actors wear historically accurate wool clothes when filming the 1993 movie. Jarre’s insistence on this was made in order to maintain a sense of continuity with the era.
This turned out to be particularly painful during the filming that took place in the searing heat of Arizona.
Kilmer reported seeing a thermometer measuring a scorching 134 degrees Fahrenheit (56 degrees Celsius) on set during the scene that took place in the Birdcage Theatre.
Kilmer, with his trademark wit, made a joke which suggested that the excruciating heat could be the reason for Doc Holliday’s reputation for being a dangerous individual. He was irritated because he wore wool during the summer in the area of Arizona, and that was the reason for his anger.
With the utmost regard for Russell
Not only is it evident from the gift that Val Kilmer chose to give to Kurt Russell, but it is also evident from what he later said about his co-star. It is clear that Val Kilmer had a great deal of respect for Kirk Russell.
Kilmer publicly acknowledged Russell’s contribution to the success of Tombstone in 2017, noting that Russell was instrumental in the development of the film by playing a significant role. There is little doubt that he was completely responsible for the level of success that Tombstone achieved.
The death of Kilmer’s father was verified by his daughter, Mercedes, to The New York Times on Tuesday. The cause of death was pneumonia-related complications.
