After portraying famous gambling gunfight Doc Holliday in Tombstone Val Kilmer went on to play Wyatt Earp in a Western movie from 2012. Many fans feel that Kilmer’s Doc Holliday is one of the highlights of his career as well as the film, and his definitive performance does a lot to cement fans’ perception of the American West icon. Kilmer’s portrayal is an energetic and exuberant one that highlights the gunslinger’s intellect, loyalty to his friends like Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his brothers, and deadliness as a quick draw against outlaws who underestimated him due to his lengthy battle with tuberculosis.
Almost twenty years after Tombstone’s ending for Doc, Kilmer would portray Wyatt Earp, the legendary lawman who fought by Doc’s side at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. While it was a joy to see Kilmer return to the Western genre, the film didn’t offer him the same material that Tombstone did, and his performance as Earp is definitely the highlight. Its execution is a stark reminder that even under less-than-ideal circumstances, an actor of Kilmer’s caliber can still find ways to shine.
Val Kilmer Played Older Wyatt Earp In 2012’s Wyatt Earp’s Revenge
Kilmer played an aging Wyatt Earp in the movie Wyatt Earp’s Revenge in 2012, a film which mostly focuses on Earp as a young man (Shawn Roberts) before he became a famous lawman, seeking revenge after someone close to him is killed. Since the movie was released directly to video, not many fans may have seen it, particularly those curious about Kilmer’s appearance in other Western movies. Kilmer’s capacity is mostly as a bookend for the film as he recalls the true story of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp to The Kansas City Star, so those hoping to see him get into gunfights will be disappointed.
Regardless of how much he’s actually in the film, Kilmer makes the most of his supporting role. At the time, the actor was suffering from complications from throat cancer, and it would be one of the last roles he took on where he could speak clearly before an operation to remove the tumor in his throat robbed him of his regular speaking voice. Even if the movie isn’t worthy of his talent, he makes the role his own, and doesn’t interject any of the mannerisms he used for Doc Holliday in his Wyatt Earp, clearly differentiating them and making the lawman come across as a stalwart, if burdened, remnant of a bygone era.
Why Playing Doc Holliday In Tombstone Will Always Be One Of Val Kilmer’s Best Roles
Western icons can seem as flat and inexpressive as their tin types, but Val Kilmer imbued Doc Holliday with life and vigor. Even though Doc was riddled with tuberculosis by the time he helped Wyatt Earp and his brothers take out the Clanton Gang, Kilmer played him not just as a survivor, but a lover of life in all its excesses, which is probably why the gunslinger held onto it for so long. Thanks to his commitment to making his character seem like a real person, Doc Holliday will long remain one of Kilmer’s best roles.
Fortunately, Kilmer is appreciative of the love his fans have for making Doc such a vibrant part of Tombstone. He’s even been known to attend DOC Holli-Days, the now annual summer event that takes place in Tombstone, Arizona every year and commemorates the birthday of the famous gambling gunfighter, who was born on August 14th, 1851. While it was entertaining to see Kilmer tackle the role of Doc’s best friend in Wyatt Earp’s Revenge, his scene-stealing portrayal in Tombstone is where his talents truly shine.