Doc Holliday is one of the most interesting men in the history of the Western genre. A dentist-turned-gambler-turned-gunfighter, his real-life story has been fictionalized through countless portrayals in film and TV. Throughout the years, Doc has been portrayed in a wide variety of ways, ranging from the cold and calculating to the charming and unpredictable.
Among the many actors who have taken on the role, Val Kilmer and Adam West stand out for their takes on the character, even though they played him decades apart. Kilmer’s portrayal in Tombstone remains one of the most iconic, playing Doc as a brilliant and witty man battling tuberculosis. West, on the other hand, took on the role in the late 1950s and early 1960s in a series of TV Westerns, bringing a more classic version of the gunslinger. Despite these differences, both actors made their portrayals memorable, adding to the character’s legendary status in the Western genre.
Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday in Tombstone
George P. Cosmatos’ Tombstone is a tale of loyalty and betrayal in the Wild West. The film follows the Earp brothers – Wyatt (Kurt Russell), Virgil (Sam Elliott), and Morgan (Bill Paxton) – as they try to settle into a quiet life in the small frontier town of Tombstone, Arizona. But when a violent gang of outlaws known as the Cowboys, led by Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn) and Curly Bill (Powers Boothe), roll into town, the Earps are forced to pick up their guns with the enigmatic Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) by their side.
While the plot of Tombstone follows the familiar Western arc of justice, the film stands out for its characters and its unexpected humor. At its core, Tombstone is about the Earp brothers’ struggle to maintain order in a town. However, it’s Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday that strengthens the film, turning what could have been a standard Western into a timeless classic.
Doc is a man whose body is failing him due to tuberculosis, yet his spirit is unbreakable. He is dying, but that never seems to stop him from being the life of the party. The character of Doc Holliday is often depicted as cold and distant in other portrayals, but Kilmer adds a sense of humanity and flair that brings the character to life in a way that no one before him had done. He’s witty, charming, and as cool as they come – traits that become even more impressive when one considers that he is constantly battling a debilitating disease.
What makes Kilmer’s Doc Holiday so different and strong compared to other portrayals is his relationship with the other characters, particularly with Russell’s Wyatt Earp. In many Westerns, the bond between two such men is a fraught one, often with tension or conflict. In Tombstone, however, the friendship between Wyatt and Doc is uncomplicated. The two have a history, and it is clear from the start that they have mutual respect and loyalty. Doc doesn’t have many friends – he even says so himself – but Wyatt is one of the few people he trusts.
However, one of the best aspects of Kilmer’s performance is how he brings humor to a film that is otherwise quite dramatic. While other characters are mired in the seriousness of their mission, Kilmer’s Doc provides the film’s moments of brightness. From his playful wink at Billy Clanton before the gunfight to his signature line, “I’m your huckleberry,” Kilmer’s Doc is effortlessly cool. Yet, this wit never feels out of place; it’s a natural part of Doc’s personality, a way for him to cope with his own mortality while confronting the mayhem around him.
Kilmer takes a character that could easily have been reduced to a stereotype and turns him into something much more fascinating. Kilmer’s Doc is both a tragic figure and a hero, a man who is dying but refuses to let that stop him from living life to the fullest. Tombstone may be remembered for its action and its gunfights, but it is Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday that ensures it will remain a classic for years to come.
Adam West Played Doc Holliday in Lawman, Sugarfoot and Colt .45
One of the most memorable, though perhaps less recognized, portrayals of Doc Holliday is by Adam West. Known primarily for his role as the campy, bright-eyed Batman in the 1960s TV series, West took on Doc Holliday in three separate Western TV shows – Lawman, Sugarfoot, and Colt .45, all produced by William T. Orr.
Lawman is a classic TV Western series that aired in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The show centers on a lawman named Dan Troop (John Russell), the sheriff of Laramie, Wyoming. Each episode explores his efforts to maintain law and order in a town plagued by criminals, bandits, and outlaws. In the episode titled The Wayfarer, Adam West plays a version of Doc Holliday who is caught up in a dramatic gunfight. Unlike the charming Doc that fans have come to know and love since Tombstone, West’s Doc isn’t battling tuberculosis or dying. Instead, he is much closer to the archetypal gentleman outlaw who remains a calm presence in the heat of a confrontation. This version is more concerned with the idea of justice than self-destruction or personal gain. He helps Troop resolve a conflict, through intelligence and strategic thinking rather than relying on quick-witted one-liners or gunplay.
While Lawman isn’t as famous as some other Westerns, it was a staple of TV during its run, and West’s portrayal of Doc Holliday fits perfectly within the show’s tone. It doesn’t have the same level of flash or dramatic flair as Tombstone, but it presents a Doc that’s more down-to-earth and relatable, a far cry from the more exaggerated performances that would come later in the genre.
Sugarfoot was another Western TV series from the late 1950s, centered on the adventures of Tom “Sugarfoot” Brewster (Will Hutchins), a young man who dreams of being a lawyer but instead ends up caught in the havoc of the Wild West. In the episode titled Trial of the Canary Kid, Adam West again steps into the role of the legendary gunfighter, but this time with a slightly different interpretation.
West’s portrayal of Doc in Sugarfoot is much more in line with the traditional Western image of a lawman who might bend the rules but does so with a code of honor. This Doc is a man who knows the reputation he carries, but instead of playing to it like Kilmer’s Doc Holliday, he’s a more toned-down version. In Sugarfoot, Doc isn’t the center of the story, but appears as a supporting character, helping the title character get out of a tricky situation. He’s a steady presence who lends a certain seriousness to the story.
Colt .45 is another Western series from the late 50s that ran for three seasons. The show follows Christopher Colt (Wayne Morris), a government agent who uses a Colt .45 revolver to solve problems in the American West. In the episode titled The Devil’s Godson, West once again steps into the shoes of the iconic gunslinger, but this time, he brings a slightly more adventurous quality to the role. This version of Doc Holliday is the most classic of the three.
Here, Doc Holliday is a man of action, a gunfighter and gambler whose reputation precedes him. While not the main focus of the episode, West gives this portrayal enough depth to make Doc Holliday interesting. While the show itself wasn’t the longest-running of its time, Colt .45 is worth noting for West’s portrayal of Doc. It’s not a career-defining performance in the way Tombstone was for Kilmer, but it serves as a fine example of how West could bring his charm and authority to even the most classic of Western archetypes.
The legacy of Doc Holliday in Western cinema and television is undeniable. From his real-life status as a notorious gunfighter to his portrayal as an iconic character in countless adaptations, Doc has remained a symbol of the unforgiving West. Val Kilmer and Adam West, despite their portrayals being decades apart, each contributed something to the lasting image of Doc Holliday. Kilmer’s version in Tombstone brought wit to the character, while West, in his three TV roles, brought a more classic portrayal to the screen. Together, these two portrayals show how different actors can leave their own unique stamp on an iconic character.