In a remarkable career spanning over 60 years, Kurt Russell has just about done it all. He's been a Disney child star, an action hero, a serious dramatic actor, an unabashedly silly comedic lead, and Elvis Presley. Though Russell was never a box office titan on par with contemporaries like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Willis, he is worshipped as a god by genre fandom for having played such iconic s***kickers as Snake Plissken in "Escape from New York," R.J. MacReady in "The Thing" and Jack Burton in "Big Trouble in Little China." Those last two were flops theatrically, but they've gone from being cult favorites to bona-fide mainstream classics. As a result, Russell, at the age of 73, might be more beloved now than he's ever been.
For Russell fanatics, there's a lively discussion to be had over what his best performance outside of that aforementioned holy trinity of John Carpenter movies might be.
For Russell fanatics, there's a lively discussion to be had over what his best performance outside of that aforementioned holy trinity of John Carpenter movies might be.
- 1/5/2025
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
The 1993 Western Tombstone turned Kurt Russell into an icon of the genre, but he wouldn't have been able to play Wyatt Earp if it hadn't been for his earlier roles in Gunsmoke. Kurt Russell has had a long and successful acting career, and Westerns have played a large role in it. From 1964's Guns of Diablo all the way to 2015's The Hateful Eight, Russell has been a figure of the Western genre for over 60 years. Despite his multiple appearances in Western movies and shows, however, Russell didn't become a true legend in the genre until he appeared in Tombstone.
Before he could make a legendary name for himself in Tombstone, however, Kurt Russell needed experience acting in Westerns. Luckily, Gunsmoke gave him that experience and much more. Gunsmoke is widely considered one of the best Western shows ever made, and it's certainly the longest-running. It's a symbol of the...
Before he could make a legendary name for himself in Tombstone, however, Kurt Russell needed experience acting in Westerns. Luckily, Gunsmoke gave him that experience and much more. Gunsmoke is widely considered one of the best Western shows ever made, and it's certainly the longest-running. It's a symbol of the...
- 11/9/2024
- by Sean Morrison
- ScreenRant
Actors Kurt Russell and Charles Bronson are among the best-known names in the Western film genre, with quite a few important cowboy films beneath their belts. Still, did you know that they worked together? Once upon a time in the west, Bronson and Russell starred together on a 1963 television series called "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters," and a year later in the movie "Guns of Diablo," which served as a bigger, full-color version of the show's finale. Both are known mostly for introducing the world to Russell, who had done a few background spots on TV but hadn't gotten much attention until his starring role on "Jaimie McPheeters." However, it turns out that filming with Bronson had a surprising impact on the young actor.
In a 2015 interview with Vice, Russell shared a charming story about how he and Bronson exchanged gifts while working together and Bronson ended up sticking up...
In a 2015 interview with Vice, Russell shared a charming story about how he and Bronson exchanged gifts while working together and Bronson ended up sticking up...
- 7/24/2024
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
Younger audiences might know him as the dude who played Ego in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," but for everyone else, Kurt Russell is a Hollywood legend. That reputation was cemented in the 1980s, during which time Russell landed starring roles in such classics as "Escape From New York" (1981), "The Thing" (1982), and "Big Trouble in Little China." (1986). But he managed just as illustrious a run in the '90s — even if you only count his role in George P. Cosmatos' seminal 1993 Western "Tombstone."
While "Tombstone" isn't quite Kurt Russell's best film — it is surely among the finest entries in the man's filmography. Telling the story of Wyatt Earp (Russell) and the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral, "Tombstone" became an instant classic of the modern Western when it debuted, with Val Kilmer stealing the entire show as Doc Holliday. But Russell certainly delivered as the legendary lawman, and in the process,...
While "Tombstone" isn't quite Kurt Russell's best film — it is surely among the finest entries in the man's filmography. Telling the story of Wyatt Earp (Russell) and the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral, "Tombstone" became an instant classic of the modern Western when it debuted, with Val Kilmer stealing the entire show as Doc Holliday. But Russell certainly delivered as the legendary lawman, and in the process,...
- 6/16/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
In Norman Taurog's 1963 film "It Happened at the World's Fair," Elvis Presley plays a crop-duster pilot named Mike whose crop-dusting plane was just repossessed by the local sheriff. While hitchhiking home, wondering how he'll get the money to buy back his plane, Mike comes upon the Seattle World's Fair. There, he instantly becomes smitten with a local nurse named Diane Warren (not to be confused with songwriter Diane Warren) played by Joan O'Brien.
To manufacture a reason to see the Fair's nurse, Mike pulls an 11-year-old boy out of the crowd and offers to pay the kid a quarter in exchange for a really, really hard kick to the shin. The kid is thrilled to have the money and dutifully thwacks the stranger. As Mike limps away, the kid mutters to himself "Adults. They're all nuts." The unnamed character was played by an uncredited Kurt Russell making his feature film debut.
To manufacture a reason to see the Fair's nurse, Mike pulls an 11-year-old boy out of the crowd and offers to pay the kid a quarter in exchange for a really, really hard kick to the shin. The kid is thrilled to have the money and dutifully thwacks the stranger. As Mike limps away, the kid mutters to himself "Adults. They're all nuts." The unnamed character was played by an uncredited Kurt Russell making his feature film debut.
- 4/21/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Charles Bronson's early starring role in Guns of Diablo showcases his ability to carry a film and attract audiences, highlighting his compelling screen persona during his rise to stardom. Showdown at Boot Hill allows Bronson to showcase his acting chops through a complex portrayal of an antihero re-examining frontier justice, making it one of his best early Westerns. Despite playing a supporting role in Villa Rides, Bronson's magnetic conviction and grit elevate the film as he brings his justice-fueled fury to the brash gunslinger character, showcasing his versatility and adding depth to the narrative.
Charles Bronson stands as one of Hollywood's finest actors, particularly renowned for his contributions to the Western genre. Among his extensive filmography in this category, there are ten standout roles that epitomize his talents. Before becoming internationally famous as a street-fighting vigilante in the Death Wish franchise, Bronson established himself as an iconic cowboy figure throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Charles Bronson stands as one of Hollywood's finest actors, particularly renowned for his contributions to the Western genre. Among his extensive filmography in this category, there are ten standout roles that epitomize his talents. Before becoming internationally famous as a street-fighting vigilante in the Death Wish franchise, Bronson established himself as an iconic cowboy figure throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
- 2/15/2024
- by Kayla Turner
- ScreenRant
Many of the iconic Hollywood movie stars of the Golden Age got their start in classic western films, which helped launch them to stardom. Clint Eastwood and John Wayne both had breakthrough roles in westerns that paved the way for their successful careers as leading men. The western genre was a popular and influential genre in early American cinema, and actors like Charles Bronson, James Stewart, Gary Cooper, Randolph Scott, Lee Marvin, and Henry Fonda all found success through their roles in western movies.
Some of the most iconic movie stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood got their start in a classic western film that introduced them to a wider audience. In the early days of American cinema, the western was one of two popular genres – along with hard-boiled film noir – that were hugely popular among moviegoers. A hit film in one of these genres, especially westerns, could turn...
Some of the most iconic movie stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood got their start in a classic western film that introduced them to a wider audience. In the early days of American cinema, the western was one of two popular genres – along with hard-boiled film noir – that were hugely popular among moviegoers. A hit film in one of these genres, especially westerns, could turn...
- 10/19/2023
- by Ben Sherlock
- ScreenRant
By any measure, Kurt Russell is a force of nature. In almost every industry, the ability to last or have the staying power to be relevant over the decades is an indicator of greatness. Russell got his start in television on the show Dennis the Menace in 1962.
Related: Kurt Russell's 10 Best Movies Ranked, According To IMDb
But, movies would soon follow. Starting with Guns of Diablo in 1964, Russell became a familiar and popular film star in supporting and leading roles. The following are the 10 best action movies according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Related: Kurt Russell's 10 Best Movies Ranked, According To IMDb
But, movies would soon follow. Starting with Guns of Diablo in 1964, Russell became a familiar and popular film star in supporting and leading roles. The following are the 10 best action movies according to Rotten Tomatoes.
- 8/9/2020
- ScreenRant
Former Another World writer Jan Merlin died on September 20 in Los Angeles. He was 94.
Born on April 3, 1925, Merlin was a torpedo man aboard U.S. Navy destroyers during World War II. He studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and appeared in the ensemble in the original 1948 Broadway production of "Mister Roberts," starring Henry Fonda.
From 1950-54, Merlin starred as Roger Manning on the kids TV program Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, based on a comic strip.
He moved to Hollywood for a role in Six Bridges to Cross (1955), starring Curtis, then appeared with Mamie Van Doren in Running Wild (1955), with Dale Robertson in A Day of Fury (1956), with Tom Tryon in Screaming Eagles (1956) and with Ann Sheridan in Woman and the Hunter (1957).
In 1958-59, Merlin portrayed Lt. Colin Kirby on The Rough Riders, an ABC series set in the aftermath of the Civil War.
His credits also included the...
Born on April 3, 1925, Merlin was a torpedo man aboard U.S. Navy destroyers during World War II. He studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and appeared in the ensemble in the original 1948 Broadway production of "Mister Roberts," starring Henry Fonda.
From 1950-54, Merlin starred as Roger Manning on the kids TV program Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, based on a comic strip.
He moved to Hollywood for a role in Six Bridges to Cross (1955), starring Curtis, then appeared with Mamie Van Doren in Running Wild (1955), with Dale Robertson in A Day of Fury (1956), with Tom Tryon in Screaming Eagles (1956) and with Ann Sheridan in Woman and the Hunter (1957).
In 1958-59, Merlin portrayed Lt. Colin Kirby on The Rough Riders, an ABC series set in the aftermath of the Civil War.
His credits also included the...
- 9/26/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
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