Kurt Russell Reveals Dark Gift from Val Kilmer After Filming Tombstone—A Surprising Gesture

• 2025-04-03
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Val Kilmer’s unforgettable portrayal of Doc Holliday in the western classic Tombstone left an indelible mark on Hollywood. But behind the scenes, Kilmer's sharp wit and dark sense of humor shone just as brightly. Kurt Russell, his co-star in the film, recently shared a fascinating anecdote that reveals a truly unexpected gift exchange between the two legendary actors.

A Touching Farewell After Tombstone Wraps

As Hollywood continues to mourn the passing of Val Kilmer, who died on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65, tributes from iconic filmmakers like Ron Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, and Michael Mann highlight his incredible legacy. But it’s a lesser-known tale from Tombstone that has now resurfaced, offering fans a glimpse into Kilmer’s playful and dark humor.

In a 2024 interview with GQ, Kurt Russell, now 74, reminisced about the gift exchange tradition between actors once filming wraps. "It's never a requirement, but it’s something that sometimes happens," Russell explained. While the gesture is often a small token of appreciation, what Russell and Kilmer shared was anything but ordinary.

Kurt Russell’s Unique Gift for Kilmer

After filming Tombstone, Kurt Russell wanted to surprise Val Kilmer with a truly one-of-a-kind gift. So, he enlisted his driver to retrieve several iconic items from the set—the holster, gun, hat, and chair that Kilmer’s character Doc Holliday famously used during the film.

But Russell's gift went far beyond the usual mementos. He presented Kilmer with something far more unusual: a burial plot at Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone, Arizona, where some of the Old West's most legendary figures were laid to rest.

"I wanted to give him something with real history," Russell explained. “So, I got him a plot at Boothill Graveyard.”

Kilmer’s Dark Sense of Humor Strikes Again

Kilmer’s reaction to the gift? Classic Kilmer—dark, unexpected, and hilarious. As Russell recounted, "He looks at me and says, ‘Give it to me,’ then turns to his driver and says, ‘Give it to me,’ as if he already knew what it was."

But Kilmer wasn’t outdone. In return, he gave Russell a gift that matched the humor and irony of the moment. “What Val gave me was an acre of land overlooking Boothill,” Russell said with a laugh. It’s an exchange that was both fitting and memorable—a nod to the characters they portrayed on-screen, where Doc Holliday (Kilmer) symbolized death, and Wyatt Earp (Russell) embodied life.

The Heat of Tombstone—Behind the Scenes with Val Kilmer

In addition to his legendary sense of humor, Kilmer’s tough, gritty portrayal of Doc Holliday came in part from the extreme conditions they faced during filming. The actors were required to wear historically accurate wool costumes, even during the scorching Arizona heat. Kilmer humorously explained that the blistering 134°F (56°C) heat was likely responsible for Doc Holliday's bad temper.

“It’s just like, he wore wool in the summer, in the Arizona territory, and that made him mad,” Kilmer quipped, blending his signature wit with the hardships of filming in one of the hottest locations on Earth.

Val Kilmer’s Immense Respect for Kurt Russell

Beyond their playful exchanges, there was deep mutual respect between the two actors. In 2017, Kilmer openly credited Kurt Russell with being the driving force behind Tombstone's success. “He was solely responsible for Tombstone’s success, no question,” Kilmer wrote, acknowledging Russell’s leadership both on and off-screen.

This bond of respect was even more evident as Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, confirmed her father’s passing on April 1st, following complications from pneumonia. Fans of both actors continue to honor Kilmer’s incredible legacy, and his unforgettable portrayal of Doc Holliday will live on in cinematic history.