Charles Bronson Rejected City Slickers Over Curly's Death

Charles Bronson declined a role in the 1991 comedy City Slickers after objecting to the planned death of his character, Curly, a veteran trail boss who guides three friends on a cattle drive. Billy Crystal, who starred as Mitch and helped explain the story to Bronson, recalled their tense telephone conversation in a 2021 interview with Yahoo Entertainment.

Bronson had received the script while Jack Palance, originally cast as Curly, faced a scheduling conflict with another film. The role ultimately went to Palance after his schedule cleared, allowing production to proceed with the intended storyline.

Crystal explained that Curly's death was essential to the development of the three central characters, Mitch, Phil, played by Daniel Stern, and Ed, played by Bruno Kirby. Their journey required them to take responsibility for bringing the herd in themselves after losing their experienced guide.

Crystal described Bronson's reaction to the screenplay during his interview with Yahoo Entertainment.

"He cursed me out!" Crystal told Yahoo Entertainment in 2021. "He said, 'I'm dead on page 53.

How could you do this? Nobody kills Charles Bronson — didn't you see my Death Wish movies? I don't die!'"

Crystal attempted to persuade Bronson that Curly's death was central to the story and would also provide opportunities for scenes between the two actors. Bronson remained opposed to the character's fate.

"That's the key part of the story: (Curly) has to die so the three guys can bring in the herd themselves. And you and I would have these really lovely scenes together,'" Crystal recalled telling Bronson. "He just said, 'Eff you, I'm dead,' and hung up."

Once Palance's scheduling conflict was resolved, the veteran actor took the role. In a 1991 interview with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Palance explained why the screenplay appealed to him.

"I will always read a decent script when it is offered, and the script to City Slickers made sense," Palance told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in 1991. "Curly is the kind of man I would like to be."

Palance's performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1992. At age 73, he celebrated the win onstage by performing three one-armed pushups, creating one of the ceremony's memorable moments.

City Slickers also achieved significant commercial success, earning more than $124 million at the domestic box office. Its popularity led to a 1994 sequel, and the original film has been regarded as one of the 100 greatest comedies ever made.

Reflecting on the production, Crystal also highlighted the opportunity to work alongside Palance as one of the film's meaningful aspects.

"Part of it," he said, "was that I got to work with Jack Palance."