Kurt Russell Unveils the “Dark Gift” Val Kilmer Gave Him After Tombstone
Val Kilmer’s impact on Hollywood is undeniable, with his unforgettable portrayal in the western classic Tombstone alongside Kurt Russell being one of his most iconic roles.
Recently, Russell opened up about a surprising side of Kilmer’s personality, revealing the actor’s wicked sense of humor — especially when it came to the gifts he gave.
A Hidden Story from the Set
The world is still mourning the loss of the legendary Val Kilmer, who tragically passed away on April 1 at the age of 65. Tributes have flooded in from Hollywood heavyweights like Ron Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, and Michael Mann, all celebrating his unparalleled legacy.
In a resurfaced 2024 interview, Kurt Russell shared a little-known tale that shed light on Kilmer’s playful and dark humor. This story, from their time filming Tombstone, showcases the unforgettable gift Kilmer gave him after the project wrapped—one that perfectly captures the actor’s unique personality.
Kurt Russell Reveals the Unique Gift He Gave Val Kilmer After Tombstone Wrap
In a recent interview with GQ, 74-year-old Kurt Russell took a moment to reflect on the tradition of exchanging gifts after filming, noting that it was never a requirement, just a thoughtful gesture.
“If you’re asking me if it was great working with Val Kilmer, who played Doc Holliday in Tombstone, the answer is absolutely,” Russell said with a smile. He continued, “Back in those days, when you worked with people, sometimes you’d exchange gifts at the end of a film. But it’s not mandatory, it’s not something you have to do, or they have to do.”
A Truly One-of-a-Kind Gesture
Kurt Russell wanted to give Val Kilmer a gift that was as unique as their time together on the set of Tombstone. To do so, he called on his driver for a special mission: track down a few iconic items from Kilmer’s character.
“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 recalled. “Take a picture, and then in that picture, I wanted to have this thing.”
What followed was a gift that perfectly captured the essence of their iconic roles and their unforgettable time working together on the film. Little did Kilmer know, Kurt had something truly special in store.
Kurt Russell Reveals the Unique Gift He Gave Val Kilmer After Tombstone Wrap
In a recent interview with GQ, 74-year-old Kurt Russell reflected on the tradition of actors exchanging gifts after wrapping a film — emphasizing that it was never a requirement, but rather a thoughtful gesture.
“If you’re asking me if it was great working with Val Kilmer, who played Doc Holliday in Tombstone, the answer is absolutely,” Russell said with a smile. He added, “Back in those days, when you worked with people, sometimes you’d exchange gifts at the end of a film. But it’s not mandatory, it’s not something you have to do, or they have to do.”
A Truly One-of-a-Kind Gesture
Kurt Russell wanted to give Val Kilmer a gift as memorable and unique as their time together on the Tombstone set. So, he enlisted his driver for a special task: to track down some key items from Kilmer’s iconic Doc Holliday character.
“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 recalled. “Take a picture, and then in that picture, I wanted to have this thing.”
What followed was a gift that perfectly captured the essence of their roles and their unforgettable bond on the film. Little did Kilmer know, Kurt had a surprising treat in store.
Filming in Brutal Heat
The Tombstone shoot wasn’t just memorable for the iconic performances—it was also known for its brutal filming conditions, particularly the intense Arizona heat. During the Birdcage Theater scene, Kilmer recalled spotting a thermometer reading a blistering 134 degrees Fahrenheit (56 degrees Celsius).
With his characteristic wit, Kilmer joked that the unforgiving heat might have contributed to Doc Holliday’s notorious reputation. “It’s just, like, he wore wool in the summer, in the Arizona territory, and that made him mad.”
Immense Respect for Russell
Val Kilmer’s admiration for Kurt Russell was clear—not only in his own choice of gift but also in the heartfelt words he shared about his co-star. In 2017, Kilmer credited Russell for the success of Tombstone, writing, “He was solely responsible for Tombstone’s success, no question.”
Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, confirmed to The New York Times that her father passed away on Tuesday due to complications from pneumonia, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Hollywood.