In a GQ interview from January 2024, Kurt Russell shared a funny story from his time on the set of Tombstone (1993). The Western film brought Russell and Val Kilmer together as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, respectively. Russell shared that they had a tradition of exchanging gifts at the end of a filming project. While this practice wasn’t a requirement, it was something both actors enjoyed doing.
In the wake of Val Kilmer’s recent passing on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65, following a battle with pneumonia, Russell’s reflections about the gifts they exchanged offered fans and family another glimpse into Val Kilmer’s life and his sense of humor.
Val Kilmer’s dark gift to Kurt Russell: a burial plot
Russell was quick to describe his time working with Kilmer as incredibly positive. He shared that he always enjoyed working with people who made the process enjoyable. In the GQ interview, Russell mentioned that after wrapping up their work on Tombstone, he felt compelled to give Kilmer something special. Russell went on to explain that he asked his driver to acquire some items from the film set, including Kilmer’s holster, gun, hat, and a chair with Kilmer’s name on it. These items were all props from Tombstone.
But they didn’t stop there, Russell revealed that he gave Kilmer a burial plot in the Boothill Graveyard, a cemetery in Tombstone, Arizona, which is famous for being the final resting place of several Old West figures. While Kilmer, in turn, gifted Russell an acre of land overlooking Boothill Graveyard. Russell later joked about the two characters, saying, “Doc Holliday was all about death, but Wyatt’s all about life.”
Numerous celebrities have taken to social media to honor Val Kilmer
Kilmer had been battling throat cancer since 2014, but his health deteriorated further in 2025 due to pneumonia. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed the news of his death to The New York Times. Despite his health struggles, Kilmer remained an influential figure in Hollywood, with his performances in Top Gun (1986), Batman Forever (1995), and Tombstone.
Numerous celebrities have taken to social media to honor Kilmer’s memory. Cher, Josh Brodlin, Michael Mann, and Francis Ford Coppola have all paid tribute to the late actor.