Tombstone (Buena Vista, 1993)
Considered to be one greatest Westerns ever made, Tombstone is directed by George P. Cosmatos and takes place in the 1880s. Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his brothers, Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott), have left their gunslinger ways behind them to settle down and start a business in the town of Tombstone, Arizona. While they aren’t looking to find trouble, trouble soon finds them when they become targets of the ruthless Cowboy gang. Now, together with Wyatt’s best friend, Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), the brothers pick up their guns once more to restore order to a lawless land. Virgil becomes the new marshal and imposes a weapons ban within the city limits. This leads to a gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride.
Tombstone premiered on December 25, 1993 and grossed $73.2 million at the box office. True West magazine named Tombstone “one of the 5 greatest Westerns ever made” following its release.
Kurt Russell's "Wyatt Earp" Signature Wardrobe Ensemble
Kurt Russell (born 1951) wore this complete seven-piece suit and Stetson hat in his role as “Wyatt Earp” throughout the film. The suit, expertly tailored by Minopoli Ferdinando, features a label sewn into the neck seam that reads “Wyatt.” The black Stetson hat bears the inscription “Town Wyatt Hero” on the inner sweatband—“hero” being a film industry term for a high-quality, detailed wardrobe piece designated for close-ups and primary scenes involving the lead actor.
Ironically, Tombstone and Wyatt Earp (starring Kevin Costner) were filmed simultaneously, sparking an unexpected behind-the-scenes wardrobe dilemma. Costner’s production had already claimed the bulk of Hollywood’s available period Western costumes, forcing Tombstone’s producers to look overseas for suitable alternatives. While initially viewed as a setback, this challenge proved fortuitous. The production ultimately sourced costumes from Europe, leading to not only unique and elegant wardrobe choices but also increased historical accuracy. “That didn’t hurt,” Russell recalled in an interview with True West magazine. “It forced us to go to Europe, which, in fact, is where the nouveau riche of Tombstone bought their clothes in the first place.”
Russell can first be seen wearing this ensemble in one of the film’s opening scenes, as Wyatt Earp and his brothers arrive in Tombstone seeking prosperity and a new start. Throughout the film, the outfit becomes closely associated with Russell’s powerful, restrained portrayal of the legendary lawman, helping define the visual and emotional tone of one of the most beloved Westerns of the modern era.
Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp
“Virgil Earp Takes a Seat”: Sam Elliott’s Director’s Chair
This Gold Medal director’s chair was the personal chair of actor Sam Elliott (b. 1944), who portrayed Virgil Earp in the film Tombstone (1993), one of the most celebrated modern Westerns. Known for his unmistakable voice, commanding screen presence, and authentic portrayals of Western characters, Elliott has appeared in numerous iconic roles, including Lifeguard, The Sacketts, Conagher, Road House, We Were Soldiers, The Big Lebowski, and A Star Is Born.
Born in Sacramento, California, Elliott worked in construction while studying acting and later served in the California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing. He earned his first television credit in 1969 as Dan Kenyon in Judd for the Defense (“The Crystal Maze”). Over a career spanning more than five decades, Elliott has become one of the defining figures of the Western genre, earning a Screen Actors Guild Award, a National Board of Review Award, and nominations for an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards.
Elliott gifted this chair to J.N. “Jack” Swanson, a legendary Western artist and founding member of the Cowboy Artists of America. Swanson was celebrated for his depictions of vaqueros and the working West, with his artwork exhibited in major museums, the California Governor’s Mansion, and the White House.