In his depiction of Wyatt Earp, Kurt Russell might have brandished even more pronounced facial hair if not for historical precision insisted upon by the film’s director, George P. Cosmatos.
Russell was intent on replicating a style from a dated photograph of Earp. He shared:
“I let my mustache grow to try to find what I wanted to do with Wyatt Earp. There was a picture that I had of him where I had the exact same mustache, but [Cosmatos]…said, ‘Well, that’s not the way he wore his mustache at that time.’…I’m actually glad that I went with the mustache that he wanted me to go with…I looked just like him. I don’t know whether it was the right or wrong thing to do in that regard.”
Apparently, Earp had trimmed his mustache around the time of the notorious O.K. Corral shootout, while most online images depict him during a period when his mustache required a substantial amount of grooming. While to some viewers Russell’s mustache may not seem historically accurate, it indeed aligned with the specific era Cosmatos was aiming to represent.
It has also been speculated that a less extravagant mustache was a practical choice on set, given that it would take less time to manage and allow Russell’s face to be more visible, potentially sparing him additional hours in makeup and allowing an earlier call time.
Yet, Russell did not shy away from a full-fledged mustache in his later work. In Quentin Tarantino’s 2015 Western, “The Hateful Eight,” he donned a substantial mustache alongside impressive sideburns, showcasing his adaptability and willingness to go the extra facial-hair mile when required.
FAQ Section
What was the concern with Kurt Russell’s mustache in “Tombstone”?
The director, George P. Cosmatos, wanted Russell’s portrayal of Wyatt Earp to feature a mustache that was historically accurate to Earp’s look in 1879, which conflicted with Russell’s initial look based on an older photograph.
Did Kurt Russell end up with a historically accurate mustache in “Tombstone”?
Yes, ultimately, Russell adhered to Cosmatos’s wishes and sported a mustache that reflected Wyatt Earp’s appearance during 1879.
Why might a smaller mustache have been a better choice for Russell’s character?
A smaller mustache would have been easier to maintain, lessened the time spent in makeup, and ensured Russell’s face was more visible, possibly preserving the actor’s vanity as well.
Did Kurt Russell ever sport a large mustache in any other film?
Yes, in “The Hateful Eight” (2015), Russell had both a massive mustache and significant sideburns, showcasing a different and more extravagant facial hair style compared to “Tombstone.”