Kurt Russell is a well-known actor who has been in the industry for decades. However, many people don’t know that he has a unique connection to Elvis Presley. In fact, the two men had a physical altercation once that has become a legendary story in Hollywood.
In 1963, Kurt Russell was just 12 years old and had just begun his acting career. His father, Bing Russell, was a baseball player turned actor who had a small role in the Elvis Presley film, “It Happened at the World’s Fair.” Bing brought Kurt to the set of the film, and Kurt quickly became fascinated with the King of Rock and Roll.
One day on set, Kurt was playing with a prop gun when he accidentally fired it at Elvis Presley’s trailer. The bullet hit the trailer and made a loud noise that caused Elvis to storm out, believing that someone was shooting at him. When he realized it was just a young Kurt Russell, he calmed down but was still angry.
Elvis Presley, who was known for his tough guy persona, confronted Kurt Russell and challenged him to a fight. Kurt, not one to back down, accepted the challenge. The two men went at it, with Elvis Presley using his martial arts skills to overpower the young Kurt. Eventually, the scuffle was broken up by other members of the cast and crew.
Despite the physical altercation, Kurt Russell and Elvis Presley developed a mutual respect for each other. Kurt went on to have a successful acting career, starring in films like “Escape from New York” and “The Hateful Eight.” Elvis Presley, of course, went on to become a music legend before his untimely death in 1977.
The story of Kurt Russell and Elvis Presley’s physical altercation has become a legendary tale in Hollywood, showcasing the tough guy personas of both men. While it may have been a scary moment for young Kurt Russell at the time, it’s now a fun anecdote that showcases the unique connections between celebrities in the entertainment industry.
Interestingly, Kurt Russell has actually played Elvis Presley in a film. In the 1979 TV movie “Elvis,” Russell portrayed the iconic singer in a biographical drama that chronicled Presley’s life and rise to fame.
Russell’s performance was widely praised, and he even sang some of Elvis’ most famous songs in the film. The role helped solidify Russell’s place in Hollywood as a talented and versatile actor.
Despite their physical altercation, Kurt Russell and Elvis Presley remained friendly with each other in the years that followed. They reportedly ran into each other at parties and events and always had a good-natured laugh about their fight on the set of “It Happened at the World’s Fair.”
Overall, the story of Kurt Russell and Elvis Presley’s physical altercation is a fascinating moment in Hollywood history. It showcases the tough guy personas of both men, but also highlights the unique connections that exist between celebrities in the entertainment industry. It’s a reminder that even in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, celebrities are still just people who can have surprising and unexpected connections to each other.
