During a recent interview, Hollywood star Kurt Russell recalls a bright, bustling day at the World’s Fair in Washington, when an 11-year-old Kurt found himself in the most unexpected movie role of his young life. Standing mere feet away from Elvis Presley. You might think this was just a walk-on part, but the setup was anything but ordinary.
Kurt Russell recently opened up about the experience on Late Night with Seth Meyers, reminiscing with a laugh about how the scene unfolded. “[Presley’s character] wanted to have an excuse to meet this nurse, so he needs to figure out a way to go in there with something. And he pays this kid 50 cents to kick him in the shins,” Russell, who was 11 at the time, explained. “So I got that job.”
Kurt Russell’s Unforgettable First Movie Gig in Washington With Elvis
At the time, the film It Happened at the World’s Fair was shooting on location in Seattle, Washington. So, every little movement had to be precise.“They gave Elvis padding and told me to go easy. But I had shoes on, not sneakers. So I was staring at this leg thinking, ‘I cannot miss this,’” Russell recalled. “I did it about 10 times, and Elvis just laughed and said, ‘I think he’s got it. No need to worry.’”
That wasn’t the only time Presley and Russell’s paths crossed, at least in cinematic echoes. Years later, Russell would step into Elvis’s shoes himself in a 1979 TV movie, playing the King at the very age Presley had been during that first encounter.
Kurt Russell has also woven nods to Presley into several of his films, whether through music, wardrobe, or subtle gestures. His admiration for Elvis was genuine, and it shows every time Russell talks about those early days in Hollywood.
Kurt Russell’s Ongoing Connection to the King
Interestingly, Elvis also wanted to meet Kurt’s father, Bing Russell, a respected actor in Westerns and a familiar face on Bonanza. “Elvis asked my dad if he could wear his cowboy hat the same way my dad did in his films,” Kurt said. “And my dad said yes. So Elvis did just that in Charro!” The anecdote perfectly captures the mix of professionalism that made Presley such a magnetic presence on set.
Looking back, Russell says the scene taught him more than how to follow directions. It showed the lighter side of working in Hollywood, even in tense moments. For fans of both Kurt Russell and Elvis Presley, these stories are more than just anecdotes.
They’re little pieces of cinematic history. From a young Russell toeing the line in front of Presley. To becoming a celebrated actor in his own right. The connections between Hollywood legends often carry through decades in the most unexpected ways.
Nina Franklin 
Emma Taylor 
Hunter Spears 
