Tombstone's Aftermath: The Diverging Paths of Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer

Remember 1993? Jurassic Park was roaring into theatres, Whitney Houston was belting out "I Will Always Love You," and a little Western called Tombstone hit the big screen. But this wasn't just another cowboy flick—it was the start of something big for two actors: Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer.

I've always been fascinated by how a single role can change an actor's life. In Tombstone, we saw two incredible performances that should have launched both actors into the stratosphere. But that's not quite how it played out (for one of them anyways).

Let's take a trip back to the dusty streets of Tombstone and see how Russell and Kilmer brought Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday to life.

Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp: The Rock-Solid Lawman

Russell's Wyatt Earp was like a coiled spring - tense, ready for action, but always in control. He played Earp as a man of few words, letting his actions speak louder. Remember that scene where he faces down Johnny Tyler in the saloon?

"Are you gonna do somethin', or are you just gonna stand there and bleed?"

That line, delivered with Russell's trademark intensity, showed us exactly who Wyatt Earp was. He wasn't looking for trouble, but he sure as hell wasn't backing down from it either.

Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday: The Scene-Stealing Wildcard

And then there was Kilmer. His Doc Holliday was like lightning in a bottle - unpredictable, dangerous, and impossible to look away from. Kilmer stole every scene he was in, delivering quotable line after quotable line. Who can forget:

"I'm your huckleberry."

Kilmer's Holliday was charming, terrifying, and oddly sympathetic all at once. It was the kind of performance that makes you sit up and take notice.

See the cast of Tombstone updated:

Cast of Tombstone (1993) Then and Now in 2024

Tombstone endures as a timeless Western classic. Viewers stumbling upon it are instantly captivated by its stellar ensemble cast. The actors’ powerful performances spark curiosity about their careers, from the film’s debut to today.

Rewind ZoneRichard Wells

The Tombstone Effect

Both actors knocked it out of the park, but what happened next? That's where things get interesting.

Notice post 2000's - Kilmer's Box Office drop off!

The Diverging Roads: Post-Tombstone Careers

Russell's Steady Path: The Wyatt Earp of Hollywood

Post-Tombstone Trajectory

Kurt Russell, much like his Tombstone character Wyatt Earp, carved a path of stability and reliability in Hollywood. While Kilmer's career zigged and zagged, Russell's followed a steady, upward trajectory.

"I've never been someone who's been good at not working." - Kurt Russell

This quote epitomizes Russell's approach to his career post-Tombstone. He didn't just work - he thrived.

Key Roles and Critical Reception

Russell's filmography after Tombstone reads like a masterclass in career management:

• Stargate (1994) - Col. Jack O'Neil | Rating: 7.1/10
• Executive Decision (1996) - Dr. David Grant | Rating: 6.5/10
• Escape from L.A. (1996) - Snake Plissken | Rating: 5.7/10
• Breakdown (1997) - Jeff Taylor | Rating: 6.9/10

The late 90s saw Russell cement his status as an action star. But he wasn't content to be pigeonholed...

Turn of the Millennium: Showcasing Versatility

As the new millennium dawned, Russell began to flex his acting muscles:

1. Vanilla Sky (2001) - McCabe | Rating: 6.9/10
2. Dark Blue (2002) - Eldon Perry | Rating: 6.6/10
3. Miracle (2004) - Herb Brooks | Rating: 7.5/10

Miracle stands out as a career highlight. Russell's portrayal of Coach Herb Brooks showed he could carry a film without firing a single gun.

The Tarantino Effect

Just when it seemed Russell might be slowing down, enter Quentin Tarantino:

• Death Proof (2007)
• The Hateful Eight (2015)
• Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)

These collaborations injected new life into Russell's career, introducing him to a new generation of film enthusiasts.

Marvel-ous Late Career Move

In a twist that would make Ego the Living Planet proud, Russell joined the MCU in 2017:

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) - Ego

This role proved that even in his 60s, Russell could adapt to the changing landscape of Hollywood blockbusters.

Personal Life: A Hollywood Anomaly

While his on-screen life was action-packed, Russell's personal life was remarkably stable:

• 1983 - Present: Long-term relationship with Goldie Hawn
• No major scandals
• Reputation as a consummate professional

In an industry known for tumultuous relationships, Russell and Hawn's enduring partnership became the stuff of Hollywood legend.

The Russell Recipe for Longevity

What kept Russell at the top of his game for so long?

1. Consistent performances
2. Smart role selection
3. Ability to evolve with the industry
4. Professional reputation
5. Stable personal life

Russell's career is a testament to the power of reliability in an unpredictable industry. From Wyatt Earp to Ego the Living Planet, he's proven that in Hollywood, slow and steady can win the race.

Kilmer's Wild Ride

Val Kilmer, on the other hand, seemed to take Doc Holliday's unpredictability to heart. His post-Tombstone career was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, marked by brilliant performances, controversial behavior, and personal struggles.

Right after Tombstone, Kilmer landed the coveted role of Batman in Batman Forever (1995) and Chris in 1995's classic, Heat. It should have been his ticket to superstardom, but things didn't quite work out that way. Despite the film's commercial success, Kilmer's tenure as Batman was short-lived and Kilmer's film choices began to vary wildly.

This reputation, fair or not, began to impact Kilmer's career. Big-budget offers became less frequent, and Kilmer found himself taking on a mix of smaller independent films and supporting roles in larger productions.

However, it's important to note that this shift wasn't entirely due to his reputation - Kilmer himself expressed a desire to take on more challenging, unconventional roles.

Kilmer's choice of roles post-Tombstone was eclectic, to say the least. He took on the role of Simon Templar in The Saint (1997), proving he could still carry an action film. Kilmer would go on to do:

• The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
  • Role: Col. John Henry Patterson
  • Rating: 6.8/10
• The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)
  • Rating: 4.6/10
• The Saint (1997)
  • Role: Simon Templar
  • Rating: 6.2/10
• The Prince of Egypt (1998)
  • Roles: Moses / God (voice)
  • Rating: 7.2/10
• At First Sight (1999)
  • Role: Virgil Adamson
  • Rating: 6.0/10
• Joe the King (1999)
  • Role: Bob Henry
  • Rating: 6.7/10
• Pollock (2000)
  • Role: Willem De Kooning
  • Rating: 7.0/10
• Red Planet (2000)
  • Role: Gallagher
  • Rating: 5.7/10
• The Salton Sea (2002)
  • Roles: Danny Parker / Tom Van Allen
  • Rating: 7.0/10

Some key observations:

1. Kilmer continued to take on lead roles in major productions like The Saint and The Ghost and the darkness.
2. He showed his versatility by doing voice work in the animated film The Prince of Egypt.
3. He took on challenging roles in smaller, critically acclaimed films like Pollock and The Salton Sea (fyi... a great film if you have not seen.)
4. There's a noticeable dip in the ratings for some of his films, particularly The Island of Dr. Moreau, which was notoriously troubled during production.

In the early 2000s, he appeared in a string of smaller films, before making a memorable appearance in Shane Black's neo-noir Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005).

After the critically acclaimed but commercially underwhelming Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in 2005, Kilmer's career hit a rough patch. This period was marked by a series of films that failed to resonate with audiences or critics, further complicating his already tumultuous career trajectory.

Some of the notable films during this challenging period included:

• Déjà Vu (2006) - While this Tony Scott-directed thriller starring Denzel Washington was a moderate box office success, Kilmer's role was relatively small and didn't do much to boost his career.
• Columbus Day (2008) - This crime drama went straight to DVD and was largely overlooked.
• The Steam Experiment (2009) - Another direct-to-DVD thriller that failed to make an impact.
• Double Identity (2009) - This action thriller, despite Kilmer's top billing, didn't receive much critical or commercial attention.
• The Thaw (2009) - A horror film that, despite an interesting premise, didn't break through to mainstream audiences.

This string of less successful projects highlights the challenges Kilmer faced in maintaining his A-list status. The roles he was being offered were often in lower-budget films that didn't have the reach or impact of his earlier work. It's worth noting that during this time, Kilmer's reputation for being difficult to work with, whether deserved or not, may have affected the quality of projects he was being offered.

The tide began to turn with Kill the Irishman in 2011. While not a massive commercial success, this crime film received better reviews than many of Kilmer's recent projects and featured him alongside a strong cast including Ray Stevenson, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Christopher Walken. It marked the beginning of a slow but steady career resurgence for Kilmer.

In 2015, Kilmer faced a significant health challenge when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Initially, he denied the diagnosis, but later confirmed it in 2017. The treatment for his cancer, including a tracheostomy, significantly impacted his ability to speak and changed his appearance, further affecting the types of roles he could take on.

Despite these challenges, Kilmer never stopped working or taking risks. He took on a variety of projects, including voice acting roles and even a one-man play about Mark Twain. In 2022, he returned to one of his most iconic roles, appearing briefly as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick.

The Contrast

The divergent paths of Russell and Kilmer after Tombstone highlight different approaches to a Hollywood career. Russell's steady, reliable approach allowed him to maintain a consistent presence in major films over decades. He chose roles that fit his persona and worked with directors who appreciated his professionalism.

Kilmer, in contrast, seemed to prioritize artistic challenge and variety over career stability. His willingness to take risks led to some incredible performances, but also to periods of career uncertainty. His personal struggles and health issues added additional complications to his career trajectory.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

So, what can we learn from the Tombstone effect on Russell and Kilmer's careers?

For Russell, it's a lesson in consistency. He knew his strengths and played to them, building a career that's spanned decades. He's never been the flashiest star in Hollywood, but he's one of the most enduring.

Kilmer's journey shows us the power of taking risks. Sure, not all of them paid off, but when Kilmer connected with a role, the results were unforgettable. He's had his struggles, but he's also given us some of the most memorable performances in modern cinema!