The 1993 WesternTombstoneturnedKurt Russellinto an icon of the genre, but he wouldn’t have been able to play Wyatt Earp if it hadn’t been for his earlier roles inGunsmoke. Kurt Russell has had a long and successful acting career, and Westerns have played a large role in it. From 1964’sGuns of Diabloall the way to 2015’sThe Hateful Eight, Russell has been a figure of the Western genre for over 60 years. Despite his multiple appearances in Western movies and shows, however, Russell didn’t become a true legend in the genre until he appeared inTombstone.
Before he could make a legendary name for himself inTombstone, however, Kurt Russell needed experience acting in Westerns. Luckily,Gunsmokegave him that experience and much more.Gunsmokeis widely considered one of thebest Western shows ever made, and it’s certainly the longest-running. It’s a symbol of the golden era of Westerns as a whole, which made it the perfect way for Kurt Russell to learn how to play a gunslinging protagonist. In fact, withoutGunsmoke, Russell likely wouldn’t have been able to play Wyatt Earp nearly as well as he did.
Kurt Russell’s Roles In Gunsmoke Prepared Him For Western Movies
Gunsmoke Gave Russell Valuable Western Acting Experience
Kurt Russell had a starring role in not one but two episodes ofGunsmoke. In 1964, he played Packy Kerlin inGunsmokeseason 10, episode 1, “Blue Heaven,” a story about a young boy and a gunslinger trying to find the boy’s mother.In 1974, he played Buck Henry Woolfe inGunsmokeseason 19, episode 21, “Trail of Bloodshed,” where Russell’s character wanted to kill his father’s murderer, his own uncle. Even though he played both roles years before he took on the mantle of Wyatt Earp,Gunsmokeprepared Kurt Russell forTombstone.
15 Huge Hollywood Icons You Probably Forgot Appeared On Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke ran for 20 years, so it’s no surprise that some of the biggest stars in Hollywood made an appearance on the Western drama.
Both of Russell’sGunsmokeappearances gave him some great exposure to the classic era of Westerns.Tombstoneis often considered a classic Western made in the modern day, soGunsmokesurely helped him get into the mindset of a classic Western hero. The story of Buck Woolfe likely also helped Russell, as both Buck and Wyatt were characters who were focused on revenge, particularly at theend ofTombstone.Essentially,Gunsmokegave Russell the experience he needed to make the most of his chance to be a Western star, andTombstonewas that chance.
Tombstone Turned Kurt Russell Into A True Western Legend
Kurt Russell’s Performance As Wyatt Earp Is Unforgettable
Though he made his Western debut as a child actor, Kurt Russell wouldn’t become a legend in the genre until 1993, whenTombstonewas released.Tombstoneis widely considered one of thebest Western movies ever made, and Russell’s performance was one of its many highlights.As Wyatt, Russell brought an incredible charisma, an almost unsettling ability for intimidation, and a clear understanding of what makes a Western hero compelling toTombstone. While he may have been outshone by Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday, it’s safe to say that Kurt Russell is one of the most iconic parts ofTombstone.
Kurt Russell Has Made More Great Westerns, But Never Beat Tombstone
Bone Tomahawk & The Hateful Eight Were Both Good, But Tombstone Is Classic
SinceTombstone, Kurt Russell has taken on a few more Western roles, but none of them compare to Wyatt Earp.Russell’s most notable Westerns since 1993 wereBone Tomahawk, where he played Sheriff Hunt, andThe Hateful Eight, where he played John Ruth, also known as the Hangman. BothBone TomahawkandThe Hateful Eightwere successful in their own right, but neither of them managed to recapture the lightning in a bottle thatTombstonedid.Bone Tomahawkactually did better with critics, butTombstonewas far more popular than both of Russell’s later movies, with aRotten Tomatoesaudience score of 93%.
Even after over 30 years, Tombstone remains the best Western movie Kurt Russell ever made, and he owes a lot of its success to Gunsmoke.
Tombstonealso beat bothBone TomahawkandThe Hateful Eightin another key area: profits.Bone Tomahawkearned less than $1 million at the box office, whereasTombstonemade $56 million domestically (viaBox Office Mojo).The Hateful Eightdid significantly better, as it secured $161 million worldwide, but it only earned $54 million domestically, $2 million less thanTombstone22 years earlier, despite having a $19 million higher budget. Even after over 30 years,Tombstoneremains the best Western movieKurt Russellever made, and he owes a lot of its success toGunsmoke.
Gunsmoke
Cast
Set in the American West, Gunsmoke follows Marshal Matt Dillon as he maintains law and order in Dodge City, Kansas. This Western drama explores the challenges of frontier justice and the complex relationships between settlers, outlaws, and Native Americans during the settlement period.
Tombstone
Tombstone chronicles legendary marshal Wyatt Earp and his brothers as they seek fortune in a prosperous mining town. Forced to confront a gang threatening the community, Earp joins forces with the infamous Doc Holliday, highlighting a tense battle between lawmen and outlaws in the American West.
