Behind the Guns and Glory: A Real Friendship Forged in “Tombstone”

While Tombstone (1993) gave us one of the most iconic Western duos in film history—Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp—few people know that the chemistry between Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell was more than just movie magic.

Behind the scenes, the two actors formed a strong bond. During filming, Kurt Russell didn’t just play the lead—he also took on an unofficial directing role when the original director was replaced. Despite the chaos, Val Kilmer trusted Russell completely and often said that Kurt saved the movie.

In fact, Kilmer has publicly credited Kurt with being the true driving force behind the film’s success, even saying: “Tombstone is Kurt’s movie. He basically directed it.”

Their off-screen friendship deepened during this time, with both men sharing a deep respect for each other’s craft. Val Kilmer once said that working with Kurt was one of the highlights of his career.

Even years later, when Kilmer was battling throat cancer, Kurt Russell quietly reached out and supported him—a testament to the kind of bond that was forged in the Arizona dust of Tombstone.