Actor Kurt Russell revealed that Val Kilmer purchased him an acre of land as they exchanged presents after wrapping up filming on their iconic western “Tombstone.”
Russell, who performed American lawman and people hero Wyatt Earp alongside Kilmer’s acclaimed portrayal of the dentist-turned-gunslinger Doc Holliday within the 1993 basic, mentioned he wished to get one thing for his co-star to point out his appreciation.
“Whenever you’re working with folks, you’d get them, typically on the finish of the present, you get them commerce presents,” Russell informed GQ final 12 months, including that gift-giving between co-stars was a “necessary” gesture.
He gifted Kilmer a burial plot in Boot Hill Graveyard — the historic cemetery in Tombstone, Arizona, the place among the most well-known figures of the Outdated West relaxation.
Nevertheless, unbeknownst to Russell, Kilmer had additionally gotten him a present.
“What Val had gotten me was an acre of land overlooking Boot Hill,” the actor mentioned.
Russell, 74, commented on the symbolic jest of each their presents.
“Doc Holliday was all about dying, however Wyatt’s all about life,” he mentioned. “I assume that just about says all of it.”
The “Escape from New York” star was easy when requested what it was prefer to have Kilmer as a co-star.
“In case you’re asking me if it was nice working with Val Kilmer … the reply is completely,” Russell mentioned.
Kilmer, who titled his memoir “I’m Your Huckleberry” after the notorious line he delivered as Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” died Tuesday in Los Angeles after he succumbed to pneumonia, his daughter confirmed. He was 65.
His efficiency as Doc Holliday is remembered as considered one of his most acknowledged roles in his lengthy profession in Hollywood.
Kilmer wrote in his memoir that he “entitled this tome I’m Your Huckleberry for a lot of causes. I just like the unintentional echo of Huckleberry Finn, which is my favourite novel and options my favourite character. I additionally understand that the road that I, enjoying the diseased Doc Holliday, articulated has change into iconic.”
He additionally famous that “I’m your huckleberry,” which is what his character tells Michael Biehn’s character Johnny Ringo in “Tombstone” earlier than simply besting him in a deadly shootout, means, “I’m your man. You’ve met your match.”
Kilmer wrote about what portraying the American West icon on the silver display screen meant to him.
“The archetype of the gunslinger, performed with a naturalism that solely Brando might invoke, is ever current. I might by no means hand over the possibility to play such a personality. That’s why after I had the possibility to play Doc Holliday, I grabbed it,” he wrote.
“I noticed Doc’s scenario as dire. I additionally noticed his motion as defiance within the face of dying. I liked him.”
He additionally wrote in regards to the pleasure of working alongside his castmates whereas filming.
“My castmates have been fantastic — Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, and Sam Elliott and Invoice Paxton as his brothers — and the expertise was profound,” Kilmer wrote.
“I cherish the expertise of working with Kurt, whom I really like like a brother. When the Academy widens their awards to incorporate one thing just like the lifetime achievement award for Greatest, Most Distinctive, Beautiful Individual for Many years in a Row, if Kurt isn’t the primary recipient, I’ll eat my Doc Holliday hat.”
