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Kurt Russell Kicked Elvis, Then Played Him!
25 Mar
Summary
- Russell's acting debut involved kicking Elvis Presley in the shin.
- Elvis wore a shin pad for the scene with Russell.
- Russell later portrayed Elvis in a 1979 TV movie.

Kurt Russell's acting career launched at age 12 with a memorable scene where he kicked Elvis Presley in the shin for the 1963 movie 'It Happened at the World's Fair.' To ensure Russell did not cause injury, Presley wore a protective shin pad during the filming of the scene.
This early role marked a significant point in Russell's career, which later saw him embody Elvis Presley in the 1979 television movie also titled 'Elvis.' Russell noted the striking coincidence of being 27 years old for both roles. He successfully transitioned from child stardom to adult roles in popular films like 'Escape from New York.'
Currently, Russell is a cast member in Taylor Sheridan's new series, 'The Madison,' which premiered on Paramount+ on March 14, 2026. The series, described as an intimate family drama, explores themes of resilience and transformation across two distinct settings: Montana and Manhattan.




