Who Was The Real Doc Holliday?
Val Kilmer stole the show in 1993’s Tombstone film, playing gunfighter Doc Holliday alongside Kurt Russell (Wyatt Earp), Sam Elliott (Virgil Earp), and Bill Paxton (Morgan Earp).
Tombstone was based on the real-life incident known as the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which took place in Tombstone, Arizona, on October 26, 1881.
Before the fight, tensions had been brewing between the “law” and a group of outlaws known as the Cowboys. After an ordinance prohibited the carrying of weapons into town, the lawmen took action to enforce it.
Those men included the three Earp brothers and Holliday, a dentist and gambler closely associated with Wyatt Earp.
Despite its now-famous name, the gunfight actually occurred in a narrow lot west of the O.K. Corral, not in the Corral itself. Dozens of shots were exchanged during the gunfight, which lasted a mere matter of seconds.
Three Cowboys lost their lives. Doc Holliday, Virgil Earp, and Morgan Earp sustained injuries but survived.
The conflict didn’t end there. The Cowboys attacked Virgil Earp in December 1881, but he got away. One of the Cowboys killed Morgan Earp on March 18, 1882.
Holliday died of tuberculosis on November 8, 1887, at the age of 36.
After Wyatt Earp died in 1929, the story of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral became more well-known. It’s now taken on an almost myth-like quality, as the facts of “what really happened” have been lost, misrepresented, or exaggerated over time.
Remembering Val Kilmer’s Top-Notch Performance As Doc Holliday In 1993’s Tombstone
Today, many people know about Doc Holliday and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral because of the 1993 movie Tombstone. Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Holliday has been widely hailed as one of the best performances in the film. He gave the character a sense of charm and wit while also delivering some powerful and emotional moments.
Kilmer delivered many of Tombstone‘s most memorable lines and scenes. In fact, several of his lines were taken directly from newspapers that quoted the real-life Doc Holliday.
You can hear some of those quotes in the compilation video below, which showcases some of Kilmer’s best scenes in the movie.
Kilmer’s most-quoted line (and perhaps the most-quoted line in all of Tombstone) was “I’m your Huckleberry.” The line became such a key piece of Kilmer’s legacy that he titled his 2020 memoir after it.
There’s been a longstanding debate if Kilmer truly said “Huckleberry” or “huckle bearer.” Kilmer himself put an end to the debate when he confirmed he said “Huckleberry.”
@gourmetspud I say both “I’m your huckleberry” AND “I’ll be your huckleberry…” I say it twice in the film.
— Val Kilmer (@valkilmer) November 18, 2014
Because Kilmer delivered an absolute top-notch performance in Tombstone, there’s no way all of his best scenes could fit in one video. You can watch another compilation of some of his best Tombstone moments below.
Sadly, Kilmer passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65. Now, his legacy lives on through his many iconic roles, including his portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone.