Marlon Brando's Advice Led Val Kilmer to His Iconic 'Tombstone' Role

The legendary actor told Kilmer that every actor should star in a Western at least once.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:22am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a weathered leather holster, its worn texture and scuffs reflecting the rugged history of the American West.The gritty, textured details of a classic Western accessory evoke the genre's mythic past and the complex relationship between violence and romanticism.Tombstone Today

In his memoir, actor Val Kilmer revealed that it was Marlon Brando who once told him that every actor should make a Western at some point in their career. This advice ultimately led Kilmer to take on the iconic role of Doc Holliday in the 1993 film 'Tombstone', which is considered one of the best performances of his career and a defining moment in the Western genre.

Why it matters

Brando's belief that the Western genre is an important part of American cinema and culture influenced Kilmer's decision to take on the role of Doc Holliday, a character who embodies the complicated relationship between the mythic Wild West and the brutal realities of America's past. Kilmer's acclaimed performance in 'Tombstone' has become the gold standard for the character and solidified the film's status as a modern Western classic.

The details

In his memoir 'I'm Your Huckleberry', Kilmer recounts a conversation he had with Brando years earlier, in which the legendary actor told him that every actor needs to make a Western at some point. Brando believed that the Western genre allows actors to explore the 'glorious, sordid, and sadistic past' of the American West, which has a 'complicated relationship' with the mythic Wild West that captivates audiences. When Kilmer was offered the role of Doc Holliday in 'Tombstone', he felt it was the perfect opportunity to take Brando's advice and dive into the Western genre, delivering a performance that has become one of the most iconic in the history of the genre.

  • In the years prior to 'Tombstone', Marlon Brando told Val Kilmer that every actor should make a Western.

The players

Marlon Brando

A legendary Hollywood actor who directed and starred in several Westerns, including 'One-Eyed Jacks' and 'The Missouri Breaks'. Brando believed that the Western genre was an important part of American cinema and culture, and he encouraged other actors, including Val Kilmer, to take on roles in Westerns.

Val Kilmer

An acclaimed actor who is best known for his role as Doc Holliday in the 1993 film 'Tombstone', which is considered one of the defining performances in the Western genre. Kilmer has said that Brando's advice to him about the importance of Westerns influenced his decision to take on the role of Doc Holliday.

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What they’re saying

“You know damn well why”

— Marlon Brando

“The archetype of the gunslinger, played with a naturalism that only Brando could invoke, is ever present. I could never give up the chance to play such a character. That's why when I had the chance to play Doc Holliday, I grabbed it.”

— Val Kilmer, Actor

What’s next

Kilmer's acclaimed performance as Doc Holliday in 'Tombstone' has cemented the film's status as a modern Western classic, and it will likely continue to be studied and celebrated by film fans and critics for years to come.

The takeaway

Marlon Brando's belief in the importance of the Western genre for actors influenced Val Kilmer's decision to take on the iconic role of Doc Holliday in 'Tombstone', resulting in one of the most memorable performances in the history of the Western. Kilmer's portrayal of the character has become the gold standard, demonstrating the lasting impact that Brando's advice had on the actor's career.