Val Kilmer Death: Actor Exchanged a STRANGE Gift with Tombstone Co-Star Kurt Russell; Here’s What They Traded

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In an interview with GQ in January 2024, actor Kurt Russell shared a quirky tale about a present exchange he had with Val Kilmer following the filming of the 1993 Western movie Tombstone. Russell portrayed Wyatt Earp, while Kilmer took on the role of Doc Holliday. The duo developed a strong friendship on set and commemorated their bond through unconventional gift-giving.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d like to share an interesting tidbit from my conversations with Russell. He mentioned that while giving gifts post-filming wasn’t strictly required, it was often extended as a friendly gesture. On the set of Tombstone, he had the pleasure of working alongside Val Kilmer, who portrayed Doc Holliday. Let me tell you, collaborating with Val was nothing short of fantastic!

He mentioned, “Back then, particularly during collaborations with others, it was common to give or exchange small tokens of appreciation at the conclusion of a project.

Kurt Russell shared that he’d secured a burial site for Val Kilmer at the Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone, Arizona, a cemetery renowned for its Old West notables. Speaking with GQ, Russell said, “I give Val this gift, and he looks at me and turns to his driver and says, ‘Hand it over to me.’

The actor mentioned that the gift should hold significance, considering Doc Holliday from Tombstone, played by Kilmer, had a close connection with mortality. Russell chuckled at this point, commenting that while Doc Holliday embodied death, Wyatt Earp represented life. He further pointed out that this juxtaposition was an apt summary of the situation.

Without Russell’s knowledge, Kilmer had arranged a special gift for him too. The actor, who passed away on April 1, 2025 at the age of 65, had bought an acre of land with a view of Boothill Graveyard and secured it for Russell. “What Val had gotten me,” Russell said, “was an acre of land overlooking Boothhill.

The interaction showcased the stark difference in their personalities as depicted in Tombstone. On one side stood Doc Holliday, a man who gambled with death and wielded firearms, grappling with his own mortality. Conversely, Wyatt Earp was recognized for his pursuit of justice and survival.

In 2014, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer but managed to recover. Sadly, he later passed away due to pneumonia, as confirmed by his daughter Mercedes to The New York Times. His portrayal of Doc Holliday in Western films is still one of the most memorable performances in that genre’s history.

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2025-04-03 16:22