Sam Elliott Went To The ‘Tombstone’ Set Just To Watch Val Kilmer Work When Tombstone came out in 1993, it blew audiences away. The cast included greats like Kurt Russell, Sam Elliott, and Bill Paxton. On top of that, it was a great retelling of the legend of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. However, Val Kilmer was the real star of the film. His portrayal of Doc Holliday is nothing short of iconic. Even now, almost thirty years later, fans are raving about Kilmer’s outstanding performance, However, before fans got a glimpse of Kilmer’s turn as Holliday, Sam Elliott took notice. He worked alongside him on the film and was so impressed by what he saw that he showed up on his days off just to watch Val Kilmer work. For anyone else, that would be impressive. However, Elliott prefers to be at home with his family and away from Hollywood as often as possible. So, his showing up speaks volumes to the level of admiration he had for his co-star’s performance. Recently, Sam Elliott sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss his involvement in the Yellowstone prequel series 1883 and the rest of his long career. Of course, Tombstone came up in the conversation, The interviewer asked if Sam Elliot had watched Val Kilmer’s documentary and added that it contains great production footage from Tombstone. “I am embarrassed to say that I have not seen it yet, but I have heard nothing but raves about it,” Sam Elliot said. He added that Tombstone fans are especially vocal about their love of the documentary. He also added that he’s a huge fan of Val Kilmer. “I would go to the Tombstone set and watch Val work even when I wasn’t called that day. What he did with Doc Holliday, to me, was the best stuff in the film.” It would be hard to find anyone who disagrees. Sam Elliot’s respect for Val Kilmer goes beyond his work on Tombstone. In fact, it goes beyond his impressive acting chops. “Val Kilmer is a good man and he’s a brilliant actor,” Elliot told The Hollywood Reporter………Read more
When *Tombstone* hit theaters in 1993, it quickly became a classic of the Western genre. The film boasted an all-star cast, including Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, Sam Elliott as his stoic brother Virgil, and Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp. But despite the powerful ensemble, it was Val Kilmer’s unforgettable performance as the charismatic and ailing Doc Holliday that left the deepest impression on audiences and critics alike. Nearly three decades later, Kilmer’s portrayal is still widely considered one of the most iconic in modern Western cinema — and perhaps the best interpretation of the legendary gunslinger ever put to screen.
Before fans even saw Kilmer’s magnetic performance, his co-stars knew something special was unfolding. Sam Elliott, a Hollywood veteran known for his deep voice and Western gravitas, was so struck by Kilmer’s transformation into Doc Holliday that he began visiting the *Tombstone* set on his days off — just to watch him work. For a man like Elliott, who values his privacy and prefers spending his downtime with family rather than lingering on set, this was no small gesture. It spoke volumes about the level of respect he held for his fellow actor.
In a recent interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*, Elliott reflected on his long career and his role in the *Yellowstone* prequel series *1883*, where he again taps into the rugged frontier archetype he embodies so well. Naturally, the conversation turned to *Tombstone*. When asked if he had seen *Val*, the acclaimed 2021 documentary chronicling Kilmer’s life and career, Elliott admitted he hadn’t — but emphasized that he had heard “nothing but raves” about it. He acknowledged that fans of *Tombstone* have been especially vocal about the film’s behind-the-scenes footage, which offers a deeper look into Kilmer’s transformative work on set.
“I am embarrassed to say that I have not seen it yet,” Elliott said. “But I have heard nothing but raves about it.” He went on to share his deep admiration for Kilmer, both as an actor and as a person. “Val Kilmer is a good man and he’s a brilliant actor,” Elliott stated. “I would go to the *Tombstone* set and watch Val work even when I wasn’t called that day. What he did with Doc Holliday, to me, was the best stuff in the film.”
Kilmer’s portrayal of Holliday, a Southern gentleman-turned-gunslinger dying of tuberculosis, was equal parts poetic and gritty. He delivered memorable lines with a drawling wit and haunting vulnerability — from the infamous “I’m your huckleberry” to his quiet resignation in the film’s final moments. For Elliott, Kilmer’s ability to inhabit the character with such nuance and charisma made a lasting impact. It’s rare to see an actor so completely disappear into a role, especially one that balances charm, menace, and tragic inevitability so effortlessly.
Ultimately, Elliott’s praise reinforces what fans have long felt about Kilmer’s Doc Holliday: that it was a performance for the ages. But more than that, it reminds us of the power of mutual respect between actors at the top of their game. When one legend takes time out of his own schedule to witness the craft of another, it’s not just flattery — it’s an acknowledgment of greatness. And in the dusty streets of *Tombstone*, greatness was exactly what Val Kilmer delivered
