How Late Actor Val Kilmer Inspired One Of Toby Keith's Ballads

Toby Keith was so inspired by a line in a Val Kilmer movie that he wrote a ballad that appeared on his 13-track studio album in the early 2000s.

“Toby always said that song inspiration could come from anywhere,” notes a clip shared to the late country legend’s Instagram account on Thursday (April 3). It opens with a glimpse of a scene from Tombstone, a 1993 Western drama starring Kilmer, Kurt Russell and Sam Elliott. The clip reveals the line that “inspired Toby to write the song ‘Huckleberry.’” The song appears on Keith’s Unleashed record, which also includes “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” “Beer for My Horses” and more.

“Thanks for inspiring Toby. RIP Val Kilmer,” the caption reads.

Kilmer — also known for Top Gun, Batman Forever and other iconic roles — battled cancer in the years before his death, and he died from pneumonia on Tuesday (April 1) in Los Angeles, California. He was 65. Kilmer’s daughter confirmed the news to the New York Times.

Keith “passed peacefully…surrounded by family,” on February 5, 2024. He was 62. The Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter battled stomach cancer in the final years of his life. Earlier this year, a statement was shared on his Instagram account marking one year since his death: “We can’t believe it’s been a year since the world lost Toby. We have a hole in our heart and our lives. The love and support from the community that Toby created has left us all thankful and grateful. It has and continues to honor Toby. We know he would be proud of the legacy he left behind. Today we hope you will celebrate and listen to his music with us, where we know he is smiling down and raising his cup. A toast to a life well lived.”