Summary

• Kurt Russell's role as Wyatt Earp in 'Tombstone' showcases his effortless coolness in a nonviolent saloon scene.
• Unlike typical Western bar scenes, Earp's smooth-talking and intimidating nature shines through in the film.
• Russell's portrayal of Earp in the film has helped shape the real-life legacy of the legendary lawman.

While Kurt Russell has had a pretty legendary stint in Hollywood, a three-minute sequence in Tombstone remains one of the coolest moments in the actor's career. Coincidentally, Russell began his acting career as a preteen, ing the cast of the Western TV series The Travels of Jaimie Mheeters, so it's fitting that one of his most iconic moments crops up in the 1993 Western. After starring in several '70s Disney films and portraying the titular role in Elvis, Russell carved out an anti-hero niche in several of John Carpenter's films, including Escape from New York and The Thing.

From Stargate and Miracle to The Hateful Eight and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Kurt Russell's career has spanned many genres. Even so, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride, Russell's coolest scene actually has much less fanfare.

Tombstone's Saloon Scene Is A Highlight Of Kurt Russell's Movie Career

Russell's Wyatt Earp Is Effortlessly Cool As He Kicks An Unruly Bar Patron Out

legendary lawman Wyatt Earp — a justice-seeking gunslinger whose coolest scene, which unfolds in a saloon, involves very little violence. Unlike other Western bar scenes, which typically devolve into shootouts, Tombstone's saloon moment relies on Earp's smooth-talking, intimidating nature. At the top of the scene, Russell's character walks into the bar, removes his hat, and asks the bartender for a cigar. He introduces himself as Wyatt Earp — a declaration that the bartender initially scoffs at. That's when Earp notices that the saloon is light on patrons.

Earp lights his cigar and approaches the unruly man, daring him to "Skin that smokewagon and see what happens."

The bartender explains that the rowdy man, who's dealing cards at the back table, came into the bar and started causing trouble. The unruly character waved his gun around and slapped people. Now, only the "dregs" stop in. When Earp suggests the bartender kick the man out, he laughs at the lawman's suggestion. With a casual swagger, Earp lights his cigar and approaches the unruly man, daring him to "Skin that smokewagon and see what happens." Too afraid to draw his weapon, the man cowers, so Earp slaps him around, takes his gun, and drags him out by the ear.

Why Kurt Russell Has Been So Crucial To Tombstone's Success & Legacy

The Actor Gives A Definitive Wyatt Earp Performance In The '90s Western

Although Kurt Russell gives a career-defining performance throughout the film, it's his portrayal of Wyatt Earp during Tombstone's ending that really hammers home the actor's prowess. The second half of the film chronicles the fallout from the gunfight at the O.K. Corral as Earp embarks on a bloody, vengeance-driven crusade. In many ways, Russell's portrayal of Earp, a fierce and determined lawman, has come to reshape the figure's real-life legacy. Kurt Russell's portrayal leaves a lasting impression — one that not only bolsters Tombstone's success, but feeds the Western legend at large.

As of August 2024, Tombstone is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.