But not too long ago, Russell shared a surprising detail that revealed Kilmer’s wicked sense of humor — particularly when it came to the gifts he gave.
A little-known story
Hollywood is still mourning the loss of Val Kilmer, who passed away on April 1 at just 65 years old. Tributes have poured in from legendary directors like Ron Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, and Michael Mann, honoring the actor’s incredible legacy.
And in a newly resurfaced 2024 interview, Kilmer’s Tombstone co-star Kurt Russell shared a little-known story that offers a glimpse into the late actor’s dark sense of humor — especially when it came to the unforgettable gifts they exchanged after filming the western classic.
In an interview with GQ, Kurt Russell, 74, reflected on the tradition of actors exchanging gifts after wrapping a film — though he clarified it was never an obligation.
“If you’re asking me if it was great working with Val Kilmer, who played Doc Holliday on Tombstone, the answer is absolutely,” Russell said.
He went on to explain, “In those days, especially when you were working with people, sometimes at the end of the show you’d get them gifts or trade gifts. It’s not mandatory, it’s not something that you gotta do or that they’ve gotta do.”
A truly unique gift
Kurt Russell wanted to give Val Kilmer a truly unique gift after wrapping Tombstone, so he enlisted his driver to track down a few key items from the set.