The late actor Val Kilmer played a dashing role in one of the most revered Westerns set in Arizona’s town too tough to die.
His death may cause a spike in streams of the 1993's "Tombstone."
Kilmer plays Doc Holliday as a sickly, educated gambler and gunslinger with boundless Southern charm.
Gordon Anderson’s family has owned the Larian Motel in Tombstone for 40-plus years. He said the community has lost someone very important.
“Val Kilmer was a fireplug. He stole the show on the movie, "Tombstone." Even stars like Kurt Russell admit that,” Anderson said.
Russell played the lawman Wyatt Earp.
In 1881, Earp and his brothers fought alongside Holliday in one of the West’s most famous gun battles, the shootout at the OK Corral.
Anderson said the movie mixes great writing and Kilmer’s talent.
“The combination of the two creates a fantastic experience for moviegoers. And Val played Doc Holliday much different than anyone else,” Anderson said.
In 2017, Kilmer rode through Tombstone in a horse-drawn wagon to chants of "We love you, Val."
-
Pima County is looking for a new operator to run Old Tucson Studios. Colorado-based American Heritage Railways says it will not extend its current lease, which runs through April 2027. -
Fitz will not only go down as the best player in Cardinals history, he’ll also be remembered as one of the NFL’s greatest receivers. -
Former Democratic Congressman and longtime Tempe Mayor Harry Mitchell died at the age of 86 last week. Mitchell’s accomplishments were many — but one was very personal. -
A Cold War-era submarine will soon have a new home at Steele Indian School Park. A groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday centered on monument for the vessel. -
An exhibit at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West pays homage to Westerns through the decades. It’s called “Still in the Saddle: A New History of the Hollywood Western” and is on display through the end of the year.
