Westerns mean mustaches. From rugged lawmen to roguish outlaws, where gunslingers roam the dusty roads of the Wild West, iconic facial hair is present. Here are some classic Westerns with even more classic mustachioed characters.
Cat Ballou (1965)
This comedic Western features Kid Shelleen, a notorious drunk hired to protect a woman from gunslinger Tim Strawn. Lee Marvin portrays Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn and won an Academy Award for best actor for this duel role. Tim Strawn, the gunslinger, has a dapper mustache, a large hat, and, for some reason, a tin nose.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Robert Redford plays the Sundance Kid, a charismatic and skilled outlaw who, along with Butch Cassidy, robs his way through the Wild West, evading the law at every turn. Redford’s performance is charismatic and charming, with his mustache adding to the character’s rugged and roguish appeal.
Tombstone (1993)
This Western recounts the legendary events surrounding the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Lawman Wyatt Earp and gunfighter (and dentist) Doc Holliday face off against outlaws in the lawless town of Tombstone, Arizona. Maybe because neither wanted to be outdone by the other. Both Earp and Holliday wore coiffed mustaches.
Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell plays Wyatt Earp, the legendary lawman and one of the central figures in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Russell’s portrayal captures Earp’s stoicism and determination, aided by his distinctive mustache.
Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer delivers a memorable performance as Doc Holliday, a legendary gambler and gunslinger (and dentist). Kilmer’s portrayal captures Holliday’s charisma and inner turmoil, adding his mustache to the character’s charm.
Quigley Down Under (1990)
A rugged American cowboy ventures to the Australian outback, embroiled in a dangerous conflict with a ruthless rancher. Matthew Quigley, the American cowboy, is played by Tom Sellick, who boasts a fantastic mustache and goatee. You might know Tom Sellick better than Monica’s one-time love interest, Richard, in Friends, where he also had a great mustache.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Set during the American Civil War, this epic Italian spaghetti Western follows three gunslingers as they compete to find buried Confederate gold, leading to a climactic showdown. Directed by Sergio Leone and with a score composed by Ennio Morricone, the movie’s reception was initially mixed for its depictions of violence. However, it is now considered one of the most essential Westerns ever.
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood portrays Blondie (The Good), also known as The Man with No Name. A cunning and resourceful gunslinger, Eastwood’s portrayal is iconic, with his steely eyes and signature mustache.
Lee Van Cleef
Lee Van Cleef plays Angel Eyes (The Bad), a ruthless and borderline sadistic bounty hunter who takes pleasure in killing. Clint Eastwood actually came up with the nickname Angel Eyes on set because of the character’s superb marksmanship and Van Cleef’s gaunt face.
Eli Wallach
Eli Wallach stars as Tuco, a cunning and oafish Mexican bandit with a knack for survival. Wallach’s performance is a masterclass in character acting, with his handlebar mustache adding to Tuco’s roguish charm and larger-than-life persona.
100 Rifles (1969)
A lawman (Jim Brown) and an outlaw (Raquel Welch) team up to help a rebel leader (Burt Reynolds) fight against a tyrannical military commander. No list of famous Western mustaches would be complete without an entry from Burt Reynolds. The mustache is magnificent, but the film is less so.
True Grit (2010)
True Grit is about a 14-year-old girl (played by Hailee Steinfeld) who hires a grizzled U.S. Marshal to track down her father’s killer, Tom Chaney. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey through the rugged Wild West. Matt Damon plays La Boeuf, a Texas ranger hunting for Tom Chaney. His mustache makes him look rugged and sinister occasionally and just a little odd on others.
Deadwood: The Movie (2019)
Deadwood: The Movie follows U.S. Marshal Seth Bullock and saloon owner Al Swearengen as they confront a corrupt senator attempting to buy land in Deadwood, South Dakota. Bullock’s calm demeanor in the film is offset by his graying mustache, giving him a more menacing look in his older age.
Lonesome Dove (1989)
Robert Duvall plays Gus McCrae, a retired Texas Ranger embarking on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. Duvall’s performance captures McCrae’s wit, wisdom, and larger-than-life persona, with his mustache adding to the character’s rugged charm. This epic miniseries also starred Diane Lane and Tommy Lee Jones.
Appaloosa (2008)
Appaloosa, based on Robert B. Parker’s 2005 novel, tells the story of two lawmen who confront a ruthless rancher terrorizing the town of Appaloosa, New Mexico. One of the lawmen, Virgil, has a striking mustache that adds to his intimidating presence.
The Magnificent Seven (2016)
Based on the 1960s movie of the same name, which itself was a remake of Seven Samurai, the film follows seven brave men as they take on a large gang led by a corrupt oil baron. Filled with action-packed sequences and memorable characters (there are at least seven of them), the film pays homage to the original while offering its own unique take on the tale of heroic outlaws fighting for the greater good.
Denzel Washington
Sheriff Sam Chisholm, played by Denzel Washington, sports a thick mustache and sideburns, giving him an air of authority. His courage and skill with a gun make him the group’s backbone, and he guides them with determination and resolve.
Lee Bjung-hun
Billy Rocks, portrayed by Byung-hun, is a skilled and lethal assassin who joins the titular group of mercenaries hired to defend a Mexican village from bandits. Known for his sharp, thin knives and sharp, thin mustache, Billy Rocks is a quiet but deadly member of the team.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
Quentin Tarantino’s Western follows a diverse group of people forced to take shelter in a remote stagecoach lodge during a blizzard. Suspicions arise, tensions escalate, resulting in a lot of violence and dark humor (well, it is Tarantino). The character John Ruth has the most bizarre mustache, bushy and voluminous, which looks quite a lot like a dead creature.
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Another Spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone and scored by Ennio Morricone. The film follows a mysterious harmonica-playing gunslinger and a notorious bandit with a heart of gold as they protect a widow from a hired killer. Jason Robards is the kindly bandit, with his strange mustache/sideburn combo making a fluffy gray W across his face.
Conagher (1991)
Sam Elliott plays a rugged cowboy who helps a woman besieged by a relentless gang. His mustache is as weathered as he is and one of the finest examples of a Western mustache.
