I think we all know by now that Val Kilmer played Doc Holliday in the 1993 movie Tombstone. The movie helped revamp his image as a cool and resourceful gunslinger who took on the feared outlaw Johnny Ringo. Doc Holliday is now remembered as one of the Wild West’s most famous gunslingers, along with Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid.
As the character evolved in popular culture, he is now remembered as a loyal friend to the Earp family and as one who stood up to injustice. Getting a Doc Holliday tattoo can be your way of personally connecting with this short-tempered gunslinger.
Doc Holliday tattoos have become popular with both men and women, but the design is often very different between the sexes. let’s take a look at 10 cool doc holliday tattoo designs.
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reasons to get a vacation doctor tattoo
Of the many characters associated with Tombstone, Arizona, Doc Holliday may be the most iconic of them all. Due to his legendary good looks, and quite possibly due to the nonchalant acting prowess of Val Kilmer playing the Doctor in the 1993 film, he has been a popular subject for tattoos over the years.
The tattoos that people choose mainly fall into two specific categories: either they depict actor Val Kilmer playing Doc Holliday in the movie, or an actual vacation photo taken from historical records.
then there will often be a quote attached, and it’s almost always from the movie.
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popular doc holliday quotes from the movie tombstone
you’re a daisy if you do.
I’m your blueberry.
My hypocrisy reaches a point.
there is no normal life, there is only life. now get to work.
in veritas wine.
I have two guns, one for each of you.
I’m dying, how are you?
holiday tattoo doc 7-10
historical accuracy
An interesting little fact: Those looking for historical accuracy in their tattoo may be in for a surprise. A photo long attributed as being of Doc Holliday doesn’t really represent him at all! The type commonly used in this tattoo is John Escapule, one of France’s earliest tombstone settlers and the ancestor of current (as of 2022) Tombstone Mayor Dusty Escapule.
It’s not surprising that they get confused, since they lived in the same city at the same time and they look a bit alike.
what might motivate someone to get a doctor holliday tattoo?
There are many reasons why someone would want to get a Doc Holliday tattoo. he was a man who lived life his way, and that alone is something that people can admire. The following list outlines seven things that motivate people to get a Doc Holliday tattoo.
story
Doc Holliday’s story has fascinated people for years. his life was an inspiration for many other characters in the western and among the ranks of the mobsters, even today. The way Doc lived his life, whether people agree or not, is something that motivates them to get a tattoo of this historic man who has inspired so many.
acting, movies and soap operas
The character Doc Holliday has been portrayed by a few actors in western movies and television shows. Some notable ones are Val Kilmer from the 1993 movie Tombstone, Wyatt Earp’s Dennis Quaid from 1994, and Wyatt Earp’s Kevin Costner from 1994. These movies and shows have helped influence fans of Doc Holliday to get tattoos of the historical man who they idolize.
respect
For those who admire his boldness and “go against the grain” attitude, it’s easy to see why someone would want a tattoo as a testament to this historical figure and his impact on their lives. Not many men are as respected as Doc Holliday was in his day. getting a tattoo helps to remember the impact this man left on the people who admired him.
fandom
Doc Holliday’s tattoos aren’t just for those who admire the historical figure. they are also for fans of westerns and western movies. Tombstone is one of the most popular Western movies, and Doc Holliday is one of the main reasons it’s so popular. Fans of this movie want to show their love for Doc and how he inspired them.
love
Like any good Western figure, Doc was a handsome man with a rugged exterior but a heart of gold. He was briefly married to a woman named Kate, whom he loved very much. Despite the fact that they were together for a short time, her love story motivates many people to tattoo him as a tribute to her.
the beauty of the west
The Old West is considered by many to be beautiful and fascinating. Doc Holliday himself was an icon of the Old West. For those who admire the beauty of this period, having a tattoo from someone as influential as Doc Holliday is one way to show that pride.
the way someone lives their life
doc holliday lived his life the way he wanted to live it. she was not afraid of anything and did what made her happy. a lot of people admire this about him and are inspired by it. For these people, Doc Holliday’s tattoos symbolize the impact he had on their lives.
Whether someone admires Doc Holliday for his historical background, acting in westerns, or for his audacity to live life his way, there are many reasons to get a tattoo honoring the man.
how to select a doc holliday image or quote that matches your personality
People who want doc holliday tattoos can choose from a wide variety of images of the man. some are based on actual photographs taken during his lifetime, while others are more recent renderings intended to capture the public imagination.
While there can be many different stylistic ways to approach creating tattoos of this historical figure, it is important that any tattoo chosen by someone has special meaning to them, or at least reflects their personality in some way. Here are seven different ways people can find a Doc Holliday tattoo design that is meaningful to them.
find a suitable image of the doctor’s life
People might search for a doc holliday tattoo to find an accurate image of him to use as the basis for their design. A person can search online or ask local tattoo parlors to see if anyone has a print or poster showing one of Holliday’s real life photos of her. they can even try asking other collectors who might have a copy hanging in their homes.
People looking for a real life image should know that not all images of the man were taken while he was alive, so choose carefully! After all, there are many published photographs of Holliday, but some show him much older than he was when he died. others depict him as a clean-shaven man, and some show him wearing modern clothing (such as suits) rather than the characteristic fringed cowgirl attire of his era.
If people want to make sure they pick a historically accurate image, they should consider looking for one taken before 1887; After all, Doc lived another ten years after this date, and those photos would likely be inaccurate representations of what he normally looked like back then.
drawing inspiration from the doctor’s own words
Another way people can approach getting a Doc Holliday tattoo is by using words or sayings of his as inspiration for their design. this may involve choosing a quote from one of his letters or a historical account of something he said. Of course, it helps if the quote or saying has special meaning to them as an individual, or at least relates to something they want to commemorate through their designs.
match a quote or say with a quote
People who choose to use quotes and sayings as the basis for their tattoos may want to consider combining them with corresponding quotes from Doc Holliday’s own words. this choice makes sense because, after all, it represents the best way to capture his true essence in literary form, which should be one of the main goals of anyone looking for a tattoo related to this man!
get a quote that best represents doc
Another way people might want to get a Doc Holliday tattoo is to find the quote that best represents them in their eyes. this choice reflects the idea that, although he may have been known for his fierce temper and his skill at arms, this man was more than just a legend of the American Old West. After all, he had the vices of his, but he also made significant contributions to society through his medical work.
match expressions or quotes to their own lives
Perhaps one of the most interesting ways that people can choose a Doc Holliday tattoo design would be to go with something that they feel really fits into their lives. For example, someone may find a design that represents Doc in his element or one that better reflects the hardships he faced in life, and may choose to have it tattooed on his arms, shoulders, chest, back, or hips for no reason at all. special meaning, but simply because they think it suits them.
coincidence of appointments with the most notable events in the doctor’s life
Another way people can search for quotes from Doc Holliday is by comparing them to important moments or aspects of their life. for example, there are many quotes about death and dying that could represent how this man was relatively calm about the concept compared to most people. These include words spoken during conversations between him and Wyatt Earp.
