When production began on the 1991 comedy City Slickers, veteran actor Jack Palance was initially slated to play Curly, the grizzled trail boss who guides three friends on a transformative cattle drive. A scheduling conflict threatened to cast doubt on his involvement. Facing a tight deadline, co-star and co-creator Billy Crystal reached out to another Hollywood tough guy and icon of the western genre: Charles Bronson.
Bronson, celebrated for his roles in The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, and the Death Wish franchise, received the script for a rapid review. Instead of a polite pass, the phone call between Crystal and Bronson resulted in a famously blunt refusal driven by the fate of the character.
Inside Billy Crystal and Charles Bronson’s Infamous Phone Call
In a 2021 interview with Yahoo Entertainment and an account shared in his 2013 book Still Foolin ‘Em, Crystal detailed the surreal conversation he had with Bronson. Expecting a straightforward discussion about the project, Crystal was met with immediate hostility when Bronson discovered when and how Curly’s arc concludes.
“I’m dead on page 53. How could you do this?” Crystal recalled Bronson shouting over the phone. “Nobody kills Charles Bronson-didn’t you see my Death Wish movies? I don’t die!”
Crystal attempted to reason with the action star. He explained that Curly’s mid-film death serves as the narrative catalyst for the main characters-Mitch (Crystal), Phil (Daniel Stern), and Ed (Bruno Kirby)-forcing them to pull together and bring the cattle herd home on their own.
“That’s the key part of the story: [Curly] has to die so the three guys can bring in the herd themselves,” Crystal told him. “And you and I would have these really lovely scenes together.”
Bronson remained unimpressed. According to Crystal, the actor simply replied, “Eff you, I’m dead,” and slammed the phone down.
How Jack Palance Won the Role and an Oscar
With Bronson out of the running, Jack Palance’s prior scheduling conflict eventually cleared up, allowing him to take on the role of Curly as originally intended. Palance embraced the character completely, delivering a performance that became the emotional and comedic anchor of the film.
City Slickers grossed more than $124 million at the domestic box office and achieved critical acclaim. At the 64th Academy Awards in 1992, Palance won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at age 73, famously celebrating on stage by performing a series of one-armed push-ups.
As for Bronson, the refusal closed the door on a cinematic classic. Crystal later recalled running into Bronson at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival after-party where the film played out of competition. When Crystal offered a polite nod of acknowledgment, Bronson got up from the couch and walked away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Charles Bronson turn down City Slickers?
Charles Bronson rejected the role of Curly because his character dies midway through the film. As an established action star known for playing unkillable heroes in franchises like Death Wish, he objected to being killed off on screen.
Who originally played Curly in City Slickers?
Jack Palance ultimately played Curly after his scheduling conflicts cleared up. His performance won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1992.
What did Billy Crystal say about Charles Bronson’s reaction?
Billy Crystal shared that Bronson cursed him out over the phone, complaining that he died too early in the script and asking if Crystal had seen his Death Wish movies.
Did Charles Bronson ever regret turning down the movie?
Bronson never publicly expressed regret. Years later at a Cannes Film Festival after-party, he avoided Billy Crystal when they crossed paths.
How successful was City Slickers?
City Slickers was a massive critical and commercial success, earning over $124 million domestically, spawning a 1994 sequel, and cementing its status as a beloved comedy classic.
