Kurt Russell Says Managing 'Difficulties' on “Tequila Sunrise” Set Led to a 'Strong Relationship' with Michelle Pfeiffer (Exclusive)

Tereza Shkurtaj, Scott HuverSun, June 7, 2026 at 9:29 PM UTC

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Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer on the set of 'Tequila Sunrise'Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty -

On May 30, 2026, Kurt Russell attended The Madison FYC event at The Television Academy in North Hollywood, Calif., with costar Michelle Pfeiffer

While chatting with PEOPLE, the 75-year-old actor recalled what it was like to first work with Pfeiffer in Tequila Sunrise

Russell revealed that their friendship grew while working through challenges on set, and now the two stars have reunited for their first project together in decades

Kurt Russell is reflecting on one of his most memorable collaborations — and a friendship that has come full circle decades later.

At a recent FYC event for The Madison, Russell looked back on working with Michelle Pfeiffer in the 1988 crime drama Tequila Sunrise and how their connection on set eventually led to a long-awaited on-screen reunion.

"We had a great time working together," Russell admits, recalling their time on Tequila Sunrise.

Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer on the set of 'Tequila Sunrise'Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

According to Russell, Tequila Sunrise came together through his relationship with the late writer-director Robert Towne, the acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter known for classics including Chinatown. Before the film, Russell says he had worked with Towne on rewrites for Swing Shift, the movie starring Goldie Hawn.

"When [Towne] was doing Tequila Sunrise, he read it to me," Russell explains. "And then we started talking about the character of Nick Frescia, the cop, as it pertained to the whole screenplay. And then we started working together."

At the center of the story was Pfeiffer's character, Jo Ann Vallenari, whom Russell describes as "the glue of everything."

"Michelle was becoming a major player, and she was a rising star and all of that," he recalls. "But she was, I felt, really, really right for [the role]."

Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn and Kurt Russell as Preston Clyburn in 'The Madison'Credit: Chris Saunders/Paramount+

Production, however, wasn't without challenges.

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Russell candidly acknowledges that "there were difficulties between Michelle and [Towne], in all honesty," and that he often found himself helping bridge the gap between the actress and director during filming. "I was a bit of a go-between as it were," Russell admits.

However, "because of that," Russell says he and Pfeiffer "had a strong relationship."

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Pfeiffer also sang the actor's praises while chatting with PEOPLE, noting that she "fell in love" with Russell the first time she met him and that he "showed up to support" her "every day."

"It's who he is as a person," she says. "Whenever I would have a tough day or something, I'd go to Kurt, and he just kind of helped me talk it through."

Michelle Pfeiffer; Kurt RussellCredit: Emerson Miller /Paramount +

Their experience on the '80s project ultimately strengthened the actors' bond, making their reunion on The Madison, decades later, especially meaningful.

"It was years and years since in between seeing each other," Russell tells PEOPLE. "Never had the opportunity to work with each other until this."

The Taylor Sheridan drama stars Pfeiffer and Russell as members of the Clyburn family and follows their lives in Montana as they navigate grief, family ties and personal change. The series premiered on Paramount+ in March 2026.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”