Tombstone is a classic Western that follows Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his family, along with best friend Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), as they settle in the titular town. The Earps get involved in the politics of Tombstone, and become targets of the lethal gang of gunslingers, the Cowboys. Starring a slew of ’90s stars and then up-and-comers, Tombstone also boasts a bevy of beastly beards and manly mustaches.
In trying to make Tombstone as historically accurate as possible, the stars of the film all decided to grow their own mustaches (and other facial hair) for their roles. From little wisps of whiskers to full-blown beards, their facial hair adds insight into the characters, and these are the best mustaches in the bunch!
10
Behan
Played by Jon Tenney
As Behan, Jon Tenney is the pompous sheriff of Tombstone who believes the town is more upscale than it is. Ratted out by costar Michael Biehn, Tenney is apparently the only actor who didn’t grow his own mustache for the film (due to other filming commitments). So, as the only fake in the bunch, this ranks at the bottom of the list.
However, Tenney’s false facial hair still adds to his character. The jaunty uptick at the ends highlights his high cheekbones and adds to his arrogant attitude. Tenney’s clean-shaven face also sets him firmly in the upper class, and he must present well as sheriff, even if he’s in cahoots with the Cowboys. As Behan himself says, it’s “awful Tony for a mining camp.”
9
Billy Breckinridge
Played by Jason Priestley
Beverly Hills, 90210 heartthrob Jason Priestley dipped his toes into serious adult fare with Tombstone. While most of his scenes were cut for time, Priestley not only strayed from his soapy Brandon Walsh character as a down-and-dirty Cowboy, but Billy was also insinuated to be gay. Ultimately, Priestley never made it to the top of the call sheet in movies, but he still works steadily in TV.
As for Priestley’s whisker situation… A small and tidy piece of work, this mustache is paired with a relatively fleshed-out goatee. Billy’s not as slovenly as some of his fellow gunslingers, with no stubble to speak of. He’s able to fit in with both the Cowboys and the upper-class saloon goers, and even charms actor Mr. Fabian (Billy Zane).
8
Henry Hooker
Played by Charlton Heston
Classic Western star Charlton Heston, while not on screen for long, plays Henry Hooker, a rancher who helps Wyatt and his crew when Doc Holliday has an episode. Hooker doesn’t play a major role in Wyatt and Doc’s journey, but he does provide a place of solace from the violence. And an actor with Heston’s resume certainly brings some gravitas to the film.
And a classic Western star must have a classic cowboy mustache. This gray face worm complements Heston’s low, gravely voice, and gives his face a comforting aura. The Earp clan is safe with this rancher; his ‘stache proves sturdy and trustworthy, just like Henry Hooker.
7
Doc Holliday
Played by Val Kilmer
This is likely the only Tombstone list that Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday is not at the top of! While the real-life Doc Holliday had only a mustache, one similar to Wyatt’s, Val Kilmer’s Doc paired a small mustache with a similarly simple goatee.
Val Kilmer’s mustache-and-goatee combo leaves space for Doc’s best quips to land, and allows his friends and foes to see Holliday’s wry smile before he attacks (either verbally or literally). Even though Kilmer’s facial hair isn’t historically accurate, the pointed goatee and neatly trimmed mustache are as sharp as Doc’s aim.
6
Ike Clanton
Played by Stephen Lang
Yes, this is technically a beard-and-mustache combo, but it’s still impressive! Oily and unkempt, the facial hair matches Ike Clanton’s (Stephen Lang) character. Ike is generally a mess, loud and obnoxious even to his fellow Cowboys. And his manic blue eyes stand out from behind the mop of a beard, highlighting he’s not to be trusted (by anyone, really).
Even if Stephen Lang only brought a mustache to the poker table as Ike, his “flavor savor” is still a sight to behold with its sheer volume. Ike’s beard and ‘stache also add to the sloppy way Ike speaks to people, almost with hair in his mouth. Salt-and-peppered and slightly out of control, Ike’s facial hair is just as wild as he is.
5
Morgan Earp
Played by Bill Paxton
Morgan Earp (Bill Paxton) is the youngest of the brothers, and he’s still growing into his role as protector and provider. Morgan’s aw-shucks attitude is emphasized by Paxton’s respectable “face lace” and remaining clean face.
A smaller and less bushy version of Wyatt’s, Morgan is getting there with his. His mustache swoops down, which points to Morgan wanting to be taken seriously by his family, modeling his after Virgil’s more serious ‘stache. It’s clear the younger Earp wants to grow into a respectable mustache-wearing man like his brothers, following them to Tombstone and into the card business.
4
Johnny Ringo
Played by Michael Biehn
Michael Biehn’s Johnny Ringo is a dangerous man, and he’s unsurprisingly juxtaposed with the just-as-lethal Doc Holliday throughout the film. Both gunslingers play the game by their own rules, and Ringo and Doc share more than just character similarities and good aim.
Like Doc’s facial hair, Ringo’s is a mustache-and-goatee combo, but Ringo’s stubble leans more into outlaw territory than Doc’s clean-shaven face. Ringo’s mustache is quite full and bushy, akin to Wyatt’s, but the sharpness gives Ringo more of an edge than the cleaner-cut Earp. Ringo’s “nose neighbor” is just as menacing as his icy cold stare.
3
Curly Bill Brocius
Played by Powers Boothe
The leader of the Cowboys, Curly Bill Brocius (Powers Boothe) is a ruthless gunslinger with a classic baddie ‘stache. Curly Bill also sports a small goatee, but it’s easy to miss beneath the thick dark “lip toupee.”
The bushy mustache that Boothe boasts cannot contain his booming voice and his delight in causing mayhem. It swoops downward, revealing the seriousness of his murderous tendencies, even when he’s forcing a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Curly Bill’s mustache emphasizes his confidence as Cowboy and outlaw.
2
Wyatt Earp
Played by Kurt Russell
Russell is a certified Western star now, and here he portrays real-life Marshall Wyatt Earp. Wyatt’s “lip foliage” is unlike anyone else’s; he’s one of a kind, even in a family of brothers. Despite him not being the eldest, Wyatt is the one the others look to for guidance. He stands alone as “the one” (as Morgan says).
In keeping with the character, Russell’s mustache matches Earp’s almost identically. The slight upward curve lends to a kind demeanor (Russell’s dimples help, too), but the fullness means business when needed. The ‘stache creates wings around Wyatt’s mouth, weighty but with a dash of optimism.
1
Virgil Morgan
Played by Sam Elliott
The epitome of a Western star, Sam Elliott has been a cowboy in numerous films. He can’t help that he fits perfectly into the genre. The low timber and slight drawl in his voice make him a natural for the Yellowstone universe’s 1883. And now he’s set to appear in fellow Tombstone actor, Billy Bob Thornton‘s series Landman.
As Virgil Earp, the eldest of the brothers, Sam Elliott and his mustache live up to the hype. The salt-and-pepper face caterpillar, in an upside-down U, frames his long face and accentuates the seriousness of Virgil. His thick dark eyebrows match the mustache, which highlights his mouth and chin when this man of few words speaks. The boldest, fullest, and most impressive of the mustaches in Tombstone belongs to Sam Elliott’s Virgil. Isn’t that a daisy?
