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Kevin Costner
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Kevin Michael Costner (born January 18, 1955) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received various accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award.

Key Information

Costner rose to prominence starring in such films as The Untouchables (1987), Bull Durham (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), JFK (1991), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), The Bodyguard (1992), and A Perfect World (1993). During this time, he directed and starred in the western epic Dances With Wolves (1990), for which he won two Academy Awards: Best Picture, and Best Director. He then starred in and co-produced Wyatt Earp (1994) and Waterworld (1995), and directed The Postman (1997), Open Range (2003), and Horizon: An American Saga (2024).

Costner's other notable films include Silverado (1985), No Way Out (1987), Tin Cup (1996), Message in a Bottle (1999), For Love of the Game (1999), Thirteen Days (2000), Mr. Brooks (2007), Swing Vote (2008), The Company Men (2010), 3 Days to Kill (2014), Draft Day (2014), Black or White (2014), McFarland, USA (2015), and The Highwaymen (2019).[1] He has also played supporting parts in such films as The Upside of Anger (2005), Man of Steel (2013), Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014), Hidden Figures (2016), Molly's Game (2017), and Let Him Go (2020).

On television, Costner portrayed Devil Anse Hatfield in the miniseries Hatfields & McCoys (2012), winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. From 2018 to 2024, he portrayed rancher John Dutton on the Paramount Network drama series Yellowstone, for which he received a Golden Globe award.

Early life and education

[edit]

Costner was born on January 18, 1955,[2] in Lynwood, California, and grew up in Compton, California.[3] His parents were William and Sharon Costner.[4] He is the youngest of three boys, the second of whom died at birth. Sharon Rae Costner (née Tedrick) was a welfare worker, and William Costner was an electrician and a utilities executive.[5][page needed][6] Costner's father's heritage originates with German immigrants to North Carolina in the 1700s,[7][better source needed] and Costner also has English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Cherokee ancestry.[8][9] Costner was raised Baptist.[10][11] He was not academically inclined in school, but did play sports (especially football), take piano lessons, write poetry, and sing in the First Baptist Choir.[5][12] He has said that watching the 1962 film How the West Was Won as a child inspired his love for Western films.[13]

Costner has stated that he spent his teenage years in different parts of California as his father's career progressed. He has described this time as a period when he "lost a lot of confidence", having to make new friends often. Costner lived in Ventura, then in Visalia. Costner attended Mt. Whitney High School where he was in the marching band.[7][better source needed] Costner graduated from Villa Park High School in 1973.[14] He played baseball at Villa Park and was teammates with Dennis Burtt.[15] He earned a BA from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) in 1978.[16][17] While at CSUF, he became a brother in the Delta Chi fraternity.[5]

Costner became interested in acting and dancing while in his last year of college.[7][better source needed] In 1978, while on an airplane returning from his honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta, Costner had a chance encounter with actor Richard Burton. At that time, Costner was uncertain about whether he should become an actor, and he approached Burton to ask his advice. Costner has said that Burton encouraged him to pursue acting.[18] Costner has also stated that he asked Burton whether it was possible to be an actor without experiencing turmoil in one's private life; according to Costner, Burton replied that he thought it was possible. Costner credits Burton with inspiring him to become an actor.[19]

Having agreed to undertake a job as a marketing executive, Costner began taking acting lessons five nights a week, with the support of his wife. His marketing job lasted 30 days. He took jobs that allowed him to develop his acting skills by paying his tuition, including working on fishing boats, as a truck driver, and giving tours of movie stars' Hollywood homes.[citation needed]

Career

[edit]

1981–1986: Rise to prominence

[edit]

Costner made his film debut in Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. (1981).[20] Costner played a minor role as "Frat Boy #1" in the Ron Howard film Night Shift (1982).[21] In 1983, Costner starred in Stacy's Knights.[22]

Costner appeared in a commercial for the Apple Lisa and Table for Five in 1983, and, the same year, had a small role in the nuclear holocaust film Testament. Later, he was cast in The Big Chill and filmed several scenes that were planned as flashbacks, but they were removed from the final cut.[7] His role was that of Alex, the friend who committed suicide, the event that brings the rest of the cast together. Costner was a friend of director Lawrence Kasdan, who promised the actor a role in a future project.[7] That became Silverado (1985) and a breakout role for Costner.[7] He also starred that year in the smaller films Fandango and American Flyers and appeared alongside Kiefer Sutherland in an hour-long special episode of Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories.

1987–1994: Stardom and acclaim

[edit]
Costner portrayed Eliot Ness (pictured) in The Untouchables (1987)

Costner achieved movie star status in 1987, when he starred as federal agent Eliot Ness in The Untouchables and in the leading role of the thriller No Way Out.[7] He solidified his A-list status in the baseball-themed films Bull Durham (1988) and Field of Dreams (1989).[7] In 1990, he partnered with producer Jim Wilson to form the production company Tig Productions.[7][23] Tig's first film was the epic Dances With Wolves which Costner directed and starred in. The film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won seven, including two for him personally (Best Picture and Best Director).[7] The same year saw the release of Revenge, in which he starred along with Anthony Quinn and Madeleine Stowe, directed by Tony Scott; Costner had wanted to direct it himself.

Costner portrayed Robin Hood in the action-adventure film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) where he also served as a producer. Costner starred alongside Alan Rickman, Morgan Freeman, and Christian Slater. The film received mixed reviews but was an immense box-office success. He then starred as District Attorney Jim Garrison in the Oliver Stone-directed political epic thriller JFK (1991). The film gained significant controversy for its historical inaccuracies but was also praised for its style, direction, and performances. Costner received a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for his role. Critic Roger Ebert praised his performance writing, "As Garrison, Costner gives a measured yet passionate performance. Like a man who has hold of an idea he cannot let go, he forges ahead, insisting that there is more to the assassination than meets the eye."[24]

He then starred opposite Whitney Houston in the romantic drama The Bodyguard (1992) where he also served as a producer. The film was a pop-culture sensation and financial success. The next year he starred as a criminal on the run in Clint Eastwood's drama A Perfect World (1993). Film critic Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Costner seems about as pathological as a koala bear, and his gentle charisma reinforces the film's touchy-feely theme".[25][7] He took the title role in the western biopic Wyatt Earp (1994), directed by Lawrence Kasdan, where he also served as a producer. That same year, he starred in the drama film The War. The film also co-starred Elijah Wood. The film seemed to gain little attention.

1995–2011: Career fluctuations

[edit]
Costner visiting Andrews Air Force Base in July 2003

The science fiction-post-apocalyptic epics Waterworld (1995) and The Postman (1997), the latter of which Costner also directed, were both commercial disappointments and both largely regarded by critics as artistic failures.[7] However, while Waterworld achieved respectable box office and some positive reviews, results for The Postman were far worse and it ended up winning five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor, and Worst Director for Costner.[26] Costner starred in the golf comedy Tin Cup (1996) for Ron Shelton, who had previously directed him in Bull Durham.[7] He developed the film Air Force One and was set to play the lead role of the President, but ultimately decided to concentrate on finishing The Postman instead. He personally offered the project to Harrison Ford. In 1999, he starred in Message in a Bottle with Robin Wright, based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film drew mixed reviews and just about broke even at the box office.[27][28]

Costner at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival

His career revived somewhat in 2000 with Thirteen Days, in which he portrayed Kenneth O'Donnell, a top adviser to John F. Kennedy. The western Open Range, which he directed and starred in, received critical acclaim in 2003, and was a surprise success commercially. He received some of his best reviews for his supporting role as retired professional baseball player Denny Davies in The Upside of Anger, for which he received a nomination from the Broadcast Film Critics Association and won the San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor. After that, Costner starred in The Guardian and in Mr. Brooks, in which he portrayed a serial killer. In 2008, his Tig Productions company closed and was changed to Tree House Films.[29]

In 2008, Costner starred in Swing Vote. He starred opposite Jennifer Aniston in the 2005 movie Rumour Has It. Costner was honored on September 6, 2006, when his handprints and footprints were set in concrete in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre alongside those of other celebrated actors and entertainers. In 2010, he appeared in The Company Men alongside Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, and Chris Cooper. It debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, and received good reviews. It was released in cinemas worldwide in January 2011.

Costner announced that he would be returning to the director's chair for the first time in seven years, in 2011, with A Little War of Our Own. He was also about to team up again with director Kevin Reynolds in Learning Italian. No updates have been released about either film since their original production announcement. He also appears, as a special cameo, in Funny or Die's "Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout". Costner portrayed Jonathan Kent in the rebooted Superman film Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder.[30] Costner was going to have a role in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained,[31] but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.

2012–present: Resurgence and Yellowstone

[edit]
Costner portrayed Devil Anse Hatfield in the miniseries Hatfields & McCoys (2012)

Costner portrayed Devil Anse Hatfield in the three-part miniseries Hatfields & McCoys, which premiered on May 28, 2012, on the History Channel. It broke a record by pulling 13.9 million viewers. The miniseries tells the true American story of a legendary family feud – one that spanned decades and nearly launched a war between Kentucky and West Virginia. The role earned Costner the 2012 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie,[32] the 2013 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie,[33] and the 2013 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television.[34]

In 2014, Costner appeared in the spy film Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, as Thomas Harper, a mentor for the series' title character. The same year, he starred in the thriller 3 Days to Kill, and the drama Draft Day, and produced and starred in Black or White.[35] Black or White premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival and opened in the United States in 2015. In 2015, Costner played coach Jim White in the drama film McFarland, USA, about cross-country running. In 2016, he played the fictional character Al Harrison, a NASA Space Task Group supervisor, in Hidden Figures, and in 2017, he starred with Jessica Chastain in Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut film Molly's Game. From 2018 until mid-way through the show's fifth season, he has starred in and executive produced the television series Yellowstone, marking the first regular TV series role of his career.[36] In 2019, Costner starred in The Art of Racing in the Rain,[37] where he voiced Enzo the dog. It was his first voice-over film in his career.

In August 2022, Costner began production on Horizon: An American Saga, a Western epic that will be split into at least four films, each just under three hours in length.[38][39][40][41][42] Costner plans on the films being released over a series of months. Costner will both star in and direct the project and said the film was proposed as an event television series. Production on the first film was expected to last at least 220 days, but was completed by November 2022.[43] Production of the next films was underway by May 2023.[38][43][44][45] The first film, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, was released in June 2024, earning mixed reviews, and was a box office flop.[46] The poor box-office returns of Chapter 1 was a factor in the indefinite delay of Chapter 2,[47] which too had received mixed reviews after its debut at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.[48][49] Chapter 2 was originally set for an August 16, 2024 release date.[50]

A 2025 story from the Hollywood Reporter has indicated that production on Yellowstone was rife with power struggles and arguments, listing it among various other incidents that has marred Costner's reputation among colleagues in Hollywood.[51]

Other ventures

[edit]

Country music

[edit]
Main article: Kevin Costner & Modern West
Costner on stage in July 2010

Costner is the singer in Kevin Costner & Modern West, a country rock band which he founded with the encouragement of his then wife, Christine. In October 2007, they began a worldwide tour, which included shows in Istanbul and Rome. The group also performed at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Daytona International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

The band released a country album, Untold Truths, on November 11, 2008, on Universal South Records. The album peaked at No. 61 on the Billboard Top Country Albums and No. 35 on the Top Heatseekers chart. Three singles ("Superman 14", "Long Hot Night", and "Backyard") have been released to radio, although none have charted. For the single "Superman 14" a live music video was made.

In 2009, they went on tour with opening act The Alternate Routes. In August, at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alberta, Costner and the band were scheduled next on stage when a severe thunderstorm struck, causing the stage and stands on the main stage to collapse. One person was reported dead and forty injured.[52] Later, an auction was held to raise money for the two young sons of the woman killed. A dinner with Costner was auctioned off for $41,000. Two guitars, one autographed by Costner, helped raise another $10,000 each.[53]

A second Kevin Costner and Modern West album, Turn It On, was released in February 2010 in Europe[54] and was supported by a European tour.[55] In July 2012, the band performed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the 20th annual Telus World Skins Game in support of the IWK Health Centre Foundation, donating a guitar autographed by Costner.[56]

Costner has also appeared in the documentary film Country Roads by Marieke Schröder.[57]

The most recent album released by Kevin Costner and Modern West, Tales from Yellowstone, was written by Costner and his co-writers from the perspective of John Dutton, Costner's character on the hit TV series Yellowstone. Songs from the album were featured on Season 3 of the show.[58]

Baseball

[edit]

Several of Costner's films have included a baseball theme: Chasing Dreams, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, For Love of the Game, and The Upside of Anger, in three of which his character is a pro baseball player and one a former pro baseball player.

Costner has a home in Austin, Texas, and sometimes appears at Texas Longhorns baseball practices and games. He was a close friend of former Longhorns baseball coach Augie Garrido from Garrido's days coaching at Cal State Fullerton, Costner's alma mater. He cast Garrido to play the role of the Yankee manager in For Love of the Game. He tries to attend every College World Series game that the CSUF Titans team plays in Omaha, Nebraska. Costner walked on for a tryout, but did not make the team early in his time at the university.[citation needed]

Costner was a partial owner of the Zion, Illinois-based Lake County Fielders independent baseball team in the North American League. The Fielders name was an homage to Field of Dreams, with the logo showing a ballplayer standing amid a field of corn.[59][60] On August 12, 2021, he led the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox onto the field prior to the MLB at Field of Dreams game held in Dyersville, Iowa and gave a short speech.[61]

Business interests

[edit]
Costner's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 1995, Costner bought a company that was developing oil separation machines based on a patent he purchased from the US government. The machines developed by the company were of little commercial interest until the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, when BP took six of the machines from a company in which Costner owned an interest, Ocean Therapy Solutions, for testing in late May 2010.[62] On June 16, 2010, BP entered into a lease with Ocean Therapy Solutions for 32 of the oil-water separation devices.[63] Although Spyron Contoguris and Stephen Baldwin had previously sold their interests in Ocean Therapy Solutions in mid-June to another investor in the company, they filed a lawsuit in Louisiana District Court claiming $10.64 million for securities fraud and misrepresentation. The suit claimed that Costner kept a meeting with BP secret from them, and the secret meeting resulted in an $18-million down payment on a $52 million purchase, and that after the down payment, but before any announcement, another investor used part of the down payment to buy out their shares, thus excluding them from their share of the profits from the total sale.[64] The suit claimed that, despite public statements by Costner, Ocean Therapy Solutions, BP, and others to the contrary, Baldwin and Contogouris were told that BP was still testing the machines and had not yet committed to lease the machines from Ocean Therapy Solutions and that the other investor in Ocean Therapy Solutions purchased their shares for $1.4 million to Baldwin and $500,000, to Contogouris.[65][full citation needed] In June 2012, a federal jury in Louisiana deliberated for less than two hours before rejecting Baldwin's and Contogouris' claims in the multimillion-dollar oil-clean-up case, and the court ordered Baldwin and Contogouris to reimburse Costner and the other defendants in the case for their costs.[citation needed]

On June 6, 2004, Costner opened Tatanka: The Story of the Bison one mile south of Deadwood, South Dakota, on U.S. Route 85, saying he hoped it would be an educational and emotional place for people to learn about America's westward expansion. Promoters stated in a news release that the $5-million attraction had a new, 3,800-square-foot interactive center featuring exhibits, retail, and food and beverage areas, offices, and a small theater. The visitor center features graphics and text about the bison and the relationship of the Plains Indians to the animals - historically hunting and now raising them for food and clothing, among other things. The centerpiece is a bronze sculpture depicting a buffalo jump by Hill City artist Peggy Detmers, depicting 14 bronze bison in the act of running from their pursuers and three bronze Lakota riders on horseback. Three of the massive bison are posed in midair, cascading over the face of a cliff. Costner commissioned the work in 1994 from Detmers. The five-fourths-scale bronzes, each weighing between 2,500 and 8,000 pounds, were cast at Eagle Bronze Foundry in Lander, Wyoming.[66][full citation needed]

Costner opened the Midnight Star Casino and Restaurant in Deadwood, S.D., in 1991.[67] He hired Francis and Carla Caneva to manage the establishment and gave each of them a 3.25 percent ownership and paid them salaries and bonuses. He terminated their employment in July 2004 and asked to agree to an amicable disassociation. When they declined, Costner dissolved the partnership and hired an accountant who determined its fair market value to be $3.1 million. The Canevas sued Costner to buy their shares based on twice that amount or sell the company on the open market. They won in the lower court but, on Costner's appeal, lost in the South Dakota Supreme Court.[68][69] Costner closed the establishment in 2017 and sold it in 2020.[67]

In 2020, Costner joined Woody Sears's new audio entertainment travel app, HearHere, as a co-founder, podcast narrator, and investor. Costner narrates some of the audio stories provided by the iPhone subscription app for travelers on road trips across the United States who want to hear about the people, places, and histories they are encountering on their travels.[70]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Costner serves on an honorary board for the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. In spring 2011, he recorded two radio spots for the museum that were aired on Kansas City Royals Radio Network.[71]

NASCAR

[edit]

Costner was named ceremonial Grand Marshal of the NASCAR Cup Series' Auto Club 500 which took place on February 25, 2007, at the California Speedway.[72] In 2008, he worked with the NASCAR Media Group and CMT Films to help produce the NASCAR Documentary The Ride of Their Lives which was released in December of that year.[73] Costner would be the narrator for that documentary. Also in 2009, he was named the spokesman for NASCAR Day which took place on May 15. The next day, May 16, he and his country music band would perform in the infield of Charlotte Motor Speedway as well as participate as a judge in the 2nd annual Victory Challenge before the 25th Running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

Writing

[edit]

In 2015, Costner co-authored The Explorer's Guild: A Passage to Shambhala, a hybrid adventure novel and graphic novel, with John Baird, researcher Stephen C. Meyer, and illustrator Rick Ross.[74]

Costner has a chapter giving advice in Tim Ferriss' book Tools of Titans.

Personal life

[edit]

Relationships

[edit]
Costner and Baumgartner at the César Awards in 2013

In 1975, while in college, Costner started dating fellow student Cindy Silva, and they married three years later. During their marriage, they had two daughters born in 1984 and 1986, and a son born in 1988. The couple divorced in 1994 after 16 years of marriage, due to Costner allegedly having an affair while on the set of Waterworld. Cindy Silva received a settlement of US$80 million (equivalent to $153 million in 2024).[75]

Following his divorce, he had a brief relationship with Bridget Rooney, future wife of billionaire Bill Koch; Costner and Rooney had a son together, born in 1996.[76] He then dated political activist Birgit Cunningham.[77] In 1996, he lived with supermodel Elle Macpherson.[78]

On September 25, 2004, Costner married his girlfriend of four years, model, and handbag designer Christine Baumgartner,[79] at his ranch in Aspen, Colorado. They have two sons, born in 2007 and 2009, and a daughter born in 2010.[80][81][82] In May 2023, Baumgartner filed for divorce.[83] They finalized their divorce on February 20, 2024.[84]

Political activism

[edit]

Early in his life, Costner was a Republican. He was both a supporter and friend of Ronald Reagan, frequently playing golf with the former president. He eventually switched his affiliation in the early 1990s. Since 1992, Costner has financially supported a variety of Democratic politicians, including Al Gore and Tom Daschle, but also made contributions to Republican Phil Gramm as late as 1995.[85]

In 2008, he said publicly that he had no ambition to run for political office, adding "I've lived quite a colorful life".[86] In the final days before that year's United States presidential election, Costner campaigned for Barack Obama, visiting various places in Colorado, where he has a home. In his speech, Costner stated the need for young voters to get to the polls, early, and with enthusiasm. "We were going to change the world and we haven't", Costner said at a Colorado State University rally. "My generation didn't get it done, and we need you to help us."[87]

In October 2014, Costner sent a tribute to British troops serving around the world, thanking them for their work.[88]

On December 22, 2019, Costner endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg at a rally in Indianola, Iowa.[89] Later, Costner supported Democratic candidate Joe Biden.[90] Costner narrated a commercial for J. D. Scholten, a Democrat running for the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 4th congressional district.[91] For the 2022 United States House of Representatives election in Wyoming, Costner endorsed Republican Liz Cheney for reelection.[92]

Acting credits and accolades

[edit]
Main articles: Kevin Costner filmography and List of awards and nominations received by Kevin Costner

Over Costner's career he has received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director Dances With Wolves (1990). He received three Golden Globe Awards for Dances with Wolves, Hatfields & McCoys (2012), and Yellowstone (2023). He also received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kevin Costner

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kevin Michael Costner (born January 18, 1955) is an American actor, director, producer, and musician. He first gained widespread recognition for portraying Eliot Ness in The Untouchables (1987) and subsequently starred in critically acclaimed films such as Bull Durham (1988) and Field of Dreams (1989). Costner's directorial debut, Dances with Wolves (1990), which he also produced and starred in, earned him Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture, along with additional honors for the film's cinematography, editing, score, and adapted screenplay. In the 1990s, Costner delivered leading performances in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), JFK (1991), and The Bodyguard (1992), the latter becoming one of the highest-grossing films of its era despite mixed critical reception. Following commercial setbacks with projects like Waterworld (1995) and The Postman (1997), he directed and starred in Open Range (2003), marking a return to Western genres that later defined much of his work. Costner portrayed patriarch John Dutton in the Paramount Network series Yellowstone from 2018 to 2023, departing prior to the conclusion of season 5 amid scheduling conflicts with his self-financed Western epic Horizon: An American Saga. As a musician, Costner fronts the country rock band Kevin Costner & Modern West, which has released albums and toured internationally since 2007. Recent endeavors include the multi-chapter Horizon saga, with chapters released in 2024 facing box office challenges despite Costner's significant personal investment exceeding $100 million, and plans for additional Western projects in 2025.

Early life

Early life and education

Kevin Michael Costner was born on January 18, 1955, in , to William Costner, an electrician who advanced to utilities executive at , and Sharon Rae Costner, a welfare worker. As the third son in a working-class family, Costner had two older brothers, though the middle sibling died shortly after birth, leaving him and his surviving older brother, Dan, as the primary siblings. The family relocated frequently across due to his father's job postings, including time spent in Compton and Orange County, which exposed Costner to varied environments during his formative years. Costner attended in , graduating in the early 1970s amid a period of personal reflection on career paths. He then enrolled at , in 1973, initially pursuing studies in with a focus on and finance. During his time at the university, Costner joined the fraternity and began taking acting classes, which sparked his interest in performance despite his primary academic trajectory. He earned a degree in in 1978, influenced by his father's encouragement toward stable business pursuits.

Acting career

Early struggles and breakthrough (1978–1986)

Following his 1978 graduation from with a degree in , Costner relocated to Hollywood, where he accepted a executive position in Orange County to support his family while committing to lessons five nights per week. This period involved financial strain and repeated rejections, as Costner auditioned persistently for roles amid a competitive industry landscape, supplementing income through uncredited work and commercials before securing on-screen appearances. Costner's feature film debut came with a minor role as stable owner John Logan in the independent production Sizzle Beach U.S.A. (filmed in 1979, released June 1986), a low-budget beach comedy that garnered limited distribution and critical attention. He followed with small parts, including a brief appearance as a mood-swing patient in the biopic (1982), portraying a character undergoing electric shock therapy, and supporting roles in films like Chasing Dreams (1982 TV movie) and (1983). A turning point arrived with his casting as Alex, the deceased friend central to flashback sequences in The Big Chill (1983), directed by ; although all footage featuring Costner's face was excised in to maintain narrative ambiguity and pacing—leaving only obscured shots of the character's body—Kasdan was impressed by his performance during filming. This exposure prompted Kasdan to cast Costner as the charismatic, rifle-toting Jake in the ensemble Western Silverado (August 1985), opposite , , and , which received positive reviews for its homage to classic genre tropes and marked Costner's first substantial role, propelling him toward wider recognition. Costner also appeared in (March 1986), a coming-of-age directed by Kevin Reynolds, playing one of five college friends on a Texas adventure, and (August 1985), as a supporting racer in a cycling ; these mid-decade credits, while not immediate box-office hits, demonstrated his versatility in action-oriented narratives and solidified industry interest ahead of his 1987 leads.

Peak stardom and critical acclaim (1987–1994)

Costner's leading role as federal agent Eliot Ness in The Untouchables (1987), directed by Brian De Palma, marked his emergence as a major star, with the film earning critical praise for its depiction of 1930s Chicago gangsters and grossing over $100 million domestically. His performance alongside Robert De Niro as Al Capone contributed to the film's seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for Sean Connery. In 1988, Costner starred as veteran minor-league catcher "Crash" Davis in Bull Durham, a romantic comedy directed by Ron Shelton that became a sleeper hit, praised for its witty script and authentic portrayal of baseball culture. The film's success solidified his appeal in sports-themed dramas, grossing approximately $53 million on a modest budget. Field of Dreams (1989), in which Costner portrayed Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella building a baseball field inspired by a supernatural voice, received widespread critical acclaim, including a four-star review from Roger Ebert for its emotional depth and themes of redemption. The film earned three Oscar nominations and grossed $84 million worldwide, further elevating Costner's status as a versatile leading man. Costner's directorial debut Dances with Wolves (1990) represented the zenith of his critical and commercial peak; he starred as Union Army lieutenant John Dunbar, who forms bonds with Lakota Sioux, earning the film 12 Academy Award nominations and seven wins, including Best Picture and Best Director. With a worldwide box office of $424 million against a $19 million budget, it demonstrated his ability to helm epic Westerns authentically. The year 1991 saw Costner in two major releases: as Robin Hood in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, directed by Kevin Reynolds, which topped the with $390 million globally despite mixed reviews criticizing his English accent. In Oliver Stone's JFK, he played New Orleans district attorney investigating the Kennedy assassination, contributing to the film's 85% approval for its provocative narrative. The Bodyguard (1992) paired Costner as a protective agent with Whitney Houston, achieving massive commercial success with $411 million in worldwide earnings, driven by the soundtrack's sales rather than critical consensus. This thriller underscored his draw in action-romance genres. By 1994, Wyatt Earp, another directorial effort where Costner portrayed the legendary lawman across decades, received mixed reception with a 31% Rotten Tomatoes score, faulted for its length and pacing despite ambitions for historical depth. Grossing $25 million domestically, it signaled the waning of his unassailable box-office dominance.

Commercial setbacks and reinvention (1995–2009)

Following the critical and commercial triumphs of the early , Costner's career encountered significant challenges beginning with (1995), a post-apocalyptic in which he starred as the Mariner. The production faced severe overruns, with the budget escalating to $175 million amid hurricanes damaging sets in the South Pacific and other logistical issues, making it one of the most expensive films at the time. Despite grossing $264 million worldwide ($88 million domestic), the film failed to fully recoup costs when accounting for marketing and distribution, resulting in a net loss and damaging Costner's reputation as a . This perceived flop, often cited as the start of his commercial decline, led to reduced studio confidence in his ability to anchor high-budget projects. The setbacks intensified with (1997), which Costner directed and starred in as a drifter restoring hope in a dystopian future. Produced on an $80 million budget—much of it personally financed by Costner—the film earned only $20.8 million worldwide ($17.6 million domestic), representing a catastrophic financial failure. Critics lambasted its self-indulgent three-hour runtime and earnest tone, further eroding Costner's leading-man status and prompting studios to hesitate on greenlighting his passion projects. Subsequent 1999 releases, ($52.9 million domestic) and ($46.1 million worldwide), achieved modest returns but reinforced a pattern of underperformance for romantic dramas headlined by him. In response, Costner pivoted toward supporting roles and ensemble casts to rebuild credibility, beginning with Thirteen Days (2000), where he portrayed White House aide Kenneth O'Donnell during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The film grossed $66.6 million worldwide, earning praise for its tense depiction of historical events, though some historians critiqued the exaggeration of O'Donnell's influence. This marked an early step in diversification, followed by antagonistic turns like the criminal Murphy in the heist film 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001, $18.7 million worldwide) and the grieving doctor in supernatural thriller Dragonfly (2002, $30.3 million worldwide), neither of which succeeded commercially but showcased range beyond heroic leads. Costner's directorial effort Open Range (2003), a traditional Western co-starring Robert Duvall, signaled a partial recovery, grossing $68.6 million worldwide on a leaner $22 million budget and receiving acclaim for its deliberate pacing and gunfight choreography. The film's success demonstrated his strength in genre filmmaking outside blockbuster constraints. Mid-decade projects included the family comedy-drama The Upside of Anger (2005, $28.9 million worldwide) and the romantic comedy Rumor Has It... (2005, $88.9 million worldwide), with the latter benefiting from Jennifer Aniston's draw. The Guardian (2006), an action drama about Coast Guard rescuers, performed solidly at $95 million worldwide, capitalizing on ensemble appeal. A highlight of reinvention came in (2007), where Costner delivered a critically lauded performance as a mild-mannered businessman grappling with serial-killer impulses, opposite voicing his alter ego. The thriller grossed $46 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, with reviewers noting Costner's chilling restraint as among his finest work post-1990s. However, (2008), a he produced and led, faltered at $17.6 million worldwide despite topical election-year release. By 2009's , a low-profile horror entry that saw limited release and poor reception, Costner had transitioned into a versatile and selective director, prioritizing artistic risks over mass-appeal stardom amid Hollywood's shifting preferences for younger leads.

Television resurgence and modern projects (2010–present)

Costner's return to television began with the 2012 History Channel miniseries Hatfields & McCoys, a three-part dramatization of the post-Civil War family feud between the Hatfield and McCoy clans along the West Virginia-Kentucky border. In the production, which aired May 28–30, 2012, he portrayed William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield, the Confederate veteran and patriarch whose leadership fueled the decades-long conflict that resulted in dozens of deaths. The series received critical praise for its historical grounding and performances, earning a 7.9/10 rating on from over 30,000 user reviews and a 71% approval on . Costner won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role, while the production itself secured the Emmy for Outstanding or Movie, highlighting a career revival after earlier film setbacks. This television success paved the way for Costner's starring role in Yellowstone, created by , which premiered on on June 20, 2018. He played John Dutton III, the sixth-generation rancher heading the largest contiguous cattle operation in the U.S., depicted as a Montana-based family defending their land against developers, Native American tribes, and political pressures amid themes of legacy, violence, and environmental conflict. The series achieved widespread popularity, amassing an 8.6/10 rating from nearly 300,000 reviews and averaging over 10 million viewers per episode in later seasons, contributing to Costner's renewed prominence and reported earnings exceeding $1.5 million per episode. He received a Golden Globe nomination for in a Television Series – Drama in 2023. Costner departed Yellowstone after filming parts of season 5, with his character's arc concluding in the November 2024 finale; the exit stemmed from scheduling clashes with his directorial commitments and frustration over delayed scripts, as he prioritized projects aligning with his creative vision over prolonged production uncertainties. In a June 2024 interview, he stated, "I don't need drama," emphasizing his focus on independent endeavors rather than protracted negotiations. Parallel to his television work, Costner's modern projects include the self-financed Western epic , which he co-wrote, directed, produced, and starred in, spanning the era from 1861 to 1865. Chapter 1 premiered at the in May 2024 before a limited U.S. theatrical release on June 28, 2024, portraying intersecting stories of settlers, warriors, and Union forces in the fictional Horizon settlement; it earned mixed reviews, with a 6.6/10 score critiquing its pacing despite acclaim for historical detail and Costner's portrayal of Hayes Ellison. Chapter 2 followed in August 2024, continuing the narrative across four planned installments, though both films underperformed commercially, grossing under $30 million domestically combined against a $100 million budget. Costner has committed to completing the , funding portions personally to realize a decades-old vision of Western expansion's complexities. Other recent film roles include supporting parts in (2016) as official Al Harrison and (2017) as judge Joe. Post-Yellowstone, he executive produced the horror series The Gray House for Prime Video, adapting a novel, though not starring in it.

Directing and producing

Key directorial works

Costner's feature film directorial debut, Dances with Wolves (1990), is an epic Western set during the , in which he also starred as Union Army Lieutenant John Dunbar, who forms bonds with a Lakota tribe after being stationed at a remote outpost. The film, adapted from Michael Blake's novel, earned Costner the and Best Picture, along with five other Oscars, grossing over $424 million worldwide on a $19 million budget. Critics praised its expansive and themes of cultural clash, though some noted its lengthy three-hour runtime. His second directorial effort, (1997), starred Costner as a drifter in a post-apocalyptic America who impersonates a restored U.S. worker, inspiring hope amid societal collapse based on David Brin's novel. With a reported budget exceeding $80 million—much of which Costner personally financed—the nearly three-hour film underperformed at the , earning $171 million globally and receiving a 14% approval rating on for its perceived self-indulgence and messianic portrayal of the protagonist. critiqued it as overly earnest, highlighting Costner's tendency to elevate the lead character to improbable heroism. Costner returned to directing with (2003), a traditional Western co-starring as cattle drivers confronting corrupt landowners in 1882 , which he also produced. The film received positive reception for its deliberate pacing, authentic gunfight choreography, and strong performances, achieving a 79% score and grossing $65 million against a $22 million budget. It marked a critical rebound, with praise focused on Costner's restrained handling of violence and moral ambiguity. After a 21-year hiatus from directing features, Costner helmed (2024), a self-financed multi-chapter epic chronicling the American West's expansion from 1859 to 1865, in which he stars alongside and ; Chapter 1 premiered at , while Chapter 2 followed in theaters. Co-written with Jon Baird, the project reflects Costner's long-gestating vision of interconnected narratives involving settlers, Native Americans, and Civil War figures, budgeted at over $100 million for the initial chapters despite mixed early reviews citing slow pacing.

Producing credits and independent ventures

Costner co-founded the production company Tig Productions in 1990 with longtime collaborator Jim Wilson, naming it after his paternal grandmother, Tig Angeline Costner. The company's inaugural project was the epic Western Dances with Wolves (1990), which Costner directed, starred in, and co-produced; the film earned seven , including Best Picture, after Costner personally financed initial development when major studios declined. Tig Productions subsequently handled production on several of Costner's starring vehicles, including (1994), a biographical Western co-produced with , and (1997), a post-apocalyptic drama that Costner also directed but which received mixed reviews and underperformed commercially. Other Tig credits encompassed Rapa Nui (1994), an independent historical drama set in ancient , and the romantic drama (1999), both of which involved Costner in acting roles alongside production oversight.
Film/TV ProjectYearProduction RoleKey Details
Dances with Wolves1990ProducerDirected and starred; earned Best Picture Oscar; initial self-financing by Costner.
Rapa Nui1994ProducerHistorical adventure; lensed in Polynesia under Tig oversight.
Wyatt Earp1994Co-producerBiographical Western; co-produced with Warner Bros.
The Postman1997ProducerDirected and starred; budget exceeded $80 million with modest box office returns.
Message in a Bottle1999ProducerRomantic drama; Tig handled production logistics.
500 Nations1995Executive producerTV miniseries documentary on Native American history, aired on CBS.
Tig Productions went dormant after 2006, having focused primarily on Costner-led projects blending studio partnerships with creative control. In parallel, Costner maintained producing involvement in non-Tig efforts, such as executive producing the documentary miniseries 500 Nations (1995), which examined pre-colonial Native American societies using archival footage and expert interviews. Costner's independent ventures have emphasized self-financed passion projects outside traditional studio systems, exemplified by Horizon: An American Saga, a planned four-chapter Western epic he co-wrote, directed, produced, and starred in starting in the early 2010s. Costner personally invested approximately $38 million into the series after selling personal assets, including a stake in his former wine business, to fund production amid financing challenges from studios wary of Western genre risks. Chapter 1 premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 before a wide U.S. release in June, grossing under $40 million against a $50 million marketing push by New Line Cinema, while Chapter 2 followed in August 2024 with similarly tepid reception and box office performance totaling around $12 million opening weekend for Chapter 1. As of October 2025, Costner continues seeking private funding for Chapters 3 and 4, underscoring the venture's high personal financial stake and emphasis on expansive Civil War-era storytelling independent of major studio constraints. These efforts reflect Costner's pattern of leveraging producing roles to retain narrative autonomy, as seen earlier with Dances with Wolves, though Horizon's commercial shortfalls highlight the causal risks of decoupling from studio-backed distribution in a market favoring established IP.

Other ventures

Music and performance

Kevin Costner fronts the band as lead vocalist and guitarist, a pursuit he has balanced alongside his career since the band's formation in the mid-2000s. The group debuted with live performances, embarking on a worldwide tour starting in October 2007 that featured shows in and , as well as appearances at Sprint Cup Series races. The band's discography includes several studio albums, beginning with Untold Truths in 2008, followed by Turn It On in 2010, From Where I Stand in 2011, Famous for Killing Each Other: Music from and Inspired by Hatfields & in 2012, and Tales from Yellowstone in 2020. Notable tracks include "Won't ," which has amassed over 1.9 million streams on , "The Killer" featuring Jaida Dreyer, and "" featuring Costner's daughter Lily Costner. Costner has co-written songs such as "The Sun Will Rise Again," released as a single in 2020. Live performances have sustained the band's activity, with tours like the 2021 Tales from Yellowstone Tour and sold-out concerts, including a 90-minute set in , on October 26, 2021, where Costner engaged audiences between original songs, and a post-Yellowstone exit show in October 2023. The band has also appeared at venues such as and , delivering full concerts blending rock and country influences.

Sports and entertainment investments

Costner held a partial ownership stake in the Lake County Fielders, an independent professional baseball team based in Zion, Illinois, that played in the North American League from 2009 to 2012. The team's name referenced Costner's 1989 film Field of Dreams, and the franchise constructed Fielders Stadium, a $18 million facility intended to host games and community events. However, the venture faced financial difficulties, including payroll disputes that led to players refusing to play and the team's announcer resigning on air in July 2011, ultimately resulting in the franchise suspending operations after the 2012 season and the stadium falling into disuse. In entertainment, Costner co-founded and invested in Autio (formerly HearHere), a location-based delivering GPS-triggered audio narratives about history, culture, and travel, featuring celebrity narrators including himself. Launched in 2020, Autio secured a $3.2 million seed round initially and a $5.9 million extension in March 2023 led by , valuing the company at around $20 million during its 2023 Shark Tank appearance. Costner is also developing Territory Film Studios, a $100 million state-of-the-art production facility in , in partnership with Development Solutions Group Inc., aimed at attracting film and television projects to the region with soundstages and desert landscapes suitable for Westerns and other genres. progressed as of early 2025, with the studio positioning southern as a filmmaking hub despite mixed reception to Costner's recent self-financed projects.

Business enterprises and philanthropy

Costner co-founded Tig Productions in 1990 with producer Jim Wilson, naming the company after his paternal grandmother; it served as the banner for several of his directorial and producing efforts, including Dances with Wolves (1990), before becoming dormant around 2006, after which he shifted to Treehouse Films for ongoing independent projects. In 1995, he established Costner Industries (initially under Costner Nevada Corporation) to develop oil-water separation technology, motivated by the 1989 spill; the venture evolved into investments in Water Planet, a firm specializing in systems for industrial spills, with Costner as a founding alongside partner Rod Lake following the 2010 incident, where contracted for deployment of the devices. He owned the Midnight Star Casino and Restaurant in , from 1991 until its sale in 2020. Costner co-founded the audio travel app HearHere in the early 2020s, which raised $3.2 million in seed funding in March led by ; the platform delivers location-based storytelling for road trips. He has also invested in , including early backing of Lender Price, a pricing software provider, as one of its original stakeholders. In philanthropy, Costner has directed efforts toward and disaster relief, including for oil-spill cleanup technologies through his business ties and personal donations exceeding millions to related causes. In October 2024, he pledged all proceeds from the song "Texas" by his band Modern West to Hope Force International for Hurricane Helene and Milton recovery, building on prior disaster aid such as a donation to a relief fund. He supports organizations like the Surfrider Foundation for ocean conservation, the Parkinson Center, and Celebrity Fight Night Foundation for health initiatives, alongside One805 for community disaster preparedness in California and Root Capital for economic development in underserved regions. Costner has hosted charity events at his Aspen polo fields, including a 2024 fundraiser opened to celebrities like and to benefit unspecified causes, reflecting his pattern of leveraging personal properties for fundraising.

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Costner married , his college sweetheart, on February 11, 1978, after dating since 1975. The couple had three children: daughter Annie in 1984, daughter Lily in 1986, and son Joe in 1988. Their marriage ended in in 1994 after 16 years, with Silva receiving a reported settlement of $80 million amid Costner's rising Hollywood fame. Following the divorce, Costner had a brief relationship with Bridget Rooney, niece of owner Dan Rooney, resulting in the birth of their son in November 1996. Initial paternity doubts led to DNA testing in 2002, which confirmed Costner as the father; he subsequently established a relationship with and provided financial support. Costner began dating model Christine Baumgartner around 1998 and married her on September 25, 2004, at his Aspen ranch. They had three children: son Cayden Wyatt in 2007, son Hayes Logan in 2009, and daughter Grace Avery in 2010. Baumgartner filed for on May 1, 2023, citing after nearly 19 years of ; Costner responded stating the date of separation as April 11, 2023. Both parties initially sought joint legal and physical custody. The proceedings were contentious, involving disputes over child support—Baumgartner requested over $200,000 monthly based on the family's established lifestyle, while Costner argued for a lower amount citing his financial obligations and earnings, leading to a temporary order of $63,000 monthly—and asset division, but finalized amicably on February 15, 2024. Costner has described the split as emotionally crushing, emphasizing no winners in such battles. Costner has been linked to other women post-second divorce, including reported dates with actress Jewel in 2023 and real estate investor Kelly Noonan Gores, but no long-term commitments have been confirmed as of 2025. He has expressed a preference for partners who prioritize over career demands.

Children and family dynamics

Kevin Costner has seven children from three different relationships: three with his first wife Cindy Silva, one with former partner Bridget Rooney, and three with his second wife Christine Baumgartner. His eldest daughter, Annie Costner, was born in 1984, followed by Lily Costner in 1986 and son Joe Costner in 1988, all from his marriage to Silva, which ended in divorce in 1994. Son Liam Costner was born in November 1996 to Rooney, during a brief relationship that overlapped with Costner's separation from Silva. With Baumgartner, whom he married in 2004 and divorced in 2024, Costner has sons Cayden Wyatt Costner (born 2007), Hayes Logan Costner (born 2009), and daughter Grace Avery Costner (born June 2, 2010). Costner maintains a blended family structure, with his children spanning four decades in age, from their early 40s (e.g., Annie approximately 42) to mid-teens (e.g., Grace approximately 16) as of 2026, which he has described as presenting logistical challenges in gathering them together due to divergent schedules and life stages. He has emphasized prioritizing family bonds amid his career demands, stating in interviews that his children are "showered with love" and that fatherhood remains central despite the difficulties of balancing professional commitments with parenting seven children across multiple households. Public glimpses into these dynamics include a December 2024 beach photo shared by Costner featuring six of his children—Annie, Lily, Joe, Liam, Cayden, and Hayes—highlighting occasional family unity, though Grace was absent. Costner has kept his children's personal lives largely private, with limited public involvement; for instance, older children like Annie and Lily have occasionally appeared in his films or events but pursue independent paths away from Hollywood spotlight, while younger ones remain focused on privacy. In reflecting on family responsibilities, Costner has acknowledged the strains of raising a large, multi-generational household, including transitions into grandparenthood via his adult children, while navigating post-divorce co-parenting arrangements that prioritize stability for the younger ones, such as the September 2023 settlement with Baumgartner granting joint legal and physical custody of their three children and an agreement to share child-related costs 50/50, following her initial request for $248,000 monthly in child support that was reduced to $63,000. He has advocated for hands-on involvement, crediting early family experiences for instilling values of resilience and closeness, though he notes the inherent complexities of blended dynamics require ongoing effort to foster cohesion without favoritism across maternal lines, emphasizing unity and love post-divorce. No major public rifts have been reported among the children or with Costner, underscoring a focus on discretion and mutual support in . Costner's 1994 divorce from first wife Cindy Silva resulted in an estimated $80 million settlement, one of the largest celebrity divorces of its era, reflecting the financial impact of his rising stardom from films like Dances with Wolves. Earlier, in 1999, Costner prevailed in a from actor alleging over a $500,000 investment in the unproduced film , with a jury ruling in Costner's favor after he argued Baldwin was aware of risks. In May 2023, Costner filed for divorce from Christine Baumgartner after 18 years of marriage, citing ; Baumgartner countersued shortly after. The proceedings involved disputes over for their three children, with Baumgartner initially seeking $248,000 monthly, arguing it matched their including private jet travel and luxury accommodations. Costner countered that his average monthly income was $1.4 million, proposing $63,000 in support, which a judge approved on September 1, 2023, ordering immediate payments. The divorce highlighted extravagant pre-separation spending, with Baumgartner detailing over $830,000 in gifts and $36,000 in charitable contributions from Costner, alongside her own expenses like $100,000+ on handbags; Costner accused her of withdrawing $105,000 without consent from joint accounts. Legal fees exceeded $6.6 million before settlement, split between parties. The case settled amicably on September 19, 2023, with terms including , continued $63,209 monthly , and both covering 50% of children's healthcare and education costs; property division details remained private. No personal bankruptcies or confirmed insolvencies appear in records, though post-divorce financial pressures from independent projects have been reported without leading to filings.

Political involvement

Early Republican affiliations

Costner has acknowledged voting for Republican candidates in his earlier years, including . In a 2024 interview, he stated, "I voted Republican, for [George W.] Bush, and for other people," reflecting affiliations prior to his later shifts toward Democratic figures. By 1996, while expressing support for President Bill Clinton's reelection, Costner admitted to having voted Republican in the past, indicating a pattern of conservative-leaning ballots during his rising career in the 1980s and 1990s. These early leanings aligned with what Costner later described as his "Republican roots," which he claimed required personal evolution to move beyond. In reflecting on his 2008 film Swing Vote, which satirized electoral politics without partisan bias, Costner noted in a 2012 interview that he "had to evolve and that took time," explicitly tying this to a rapid shift leftward politically after years of conservative voting habits. No public records show formal Republican Party membership or campaign endorsements from Costner during this period, with his involvement limited to personal voting preferences rather than activism.

Democratic endorsements and shifts

Costner, who early in his career maintained ties to Republican figures including President , began shifting toward Democratic support in the 1990s, including financial contributions to candidates such as Senator , to whom he donated $300 on May 29, 1998. This marked a departure from his prior Republican voting patterns, as he later described requiring personal evolution away from those roots. By 2008, amid his role in the film portraying an undecided voter, Costner engaged in Barack Obama's campaign activities, including university visits to promote in states like . He has since confirmed speaking at Obama events, reflecting growing alignment with Democratic priorities. In the 2020 cycle, Costner publicly endorsed Pete Buttigieg during the Democratic primary, joining him at a rally in Cresco, Iowa, on December 22, 2019, and highlighting Buttigieg's appeal to rural and small-town voters akin to his Field of Dreams persona. After Buttigieg's withdrawal, Costner affirmed his vote for Joe Biden in the general election, stating the need to prioritize national unity over party loyalty. These endorsements illustrate Costner's progression from occasional Republican ballots to active Democratic advocacy, though he has emphasized independence, accepting potential fan backlash for crossing partisan lines.

Independent stances and criticisms

Costner has consistently described himself as a political independent, emphasizing that he votes based on candidates' perceived commitment to national interests rather than party affiliation. In a 2020 interview, he stated, "I'm an Independent. I vote for who I think has the best interests of the country and how we sit in the world." This stance aligns with his earlier self-description as a registered independent during the 2008 , where he adopted a wait-and-see approach toward both major-party nominees. His independent positions have manifested in cross-party endorsements, such as his public support for Republican Representative in 2022, despite her criticism of —a move that drew backlash from some conservative fans. Costner responded by affirming he was "OK" with potentially alienating supporters, noting he "didn't really care how the cookie crumbles." He has also acknowledged past Republican voting while engaging with Democratic figures, including speeches for and , underscoring a non-partisan evaluation of individuals over ideologies. Costner has voiced broad criticisms of the U.S. , lamenting its polarization and dysfunction. In , he described the landscape as "unrecognizable" and attributed responsibility to the electorate, declaring "shame on us for being in that spot." He has further argued against conflating with cultural pursuits, asserting in February 2025 that should have "nothing to do with ," prioritizing over partisan influence. These remarks reflect a frustration with institutional and public , without targeting specific parties.

Controversies and public disputes

Yellowstone set conflicts and exit

Costner's tenure on Yellowstone, where he portrayed patriarch John Dutton across the first five seasons premiering from 2018 to 2024, became marked by escalating production tensions starting in 2022, primarily revolving around script delivery delays and scheduling priorities for the second half of season 5. Costner maintained that show creator Taylor Sheridan failed to provide scripts by the contracted deadline of November 2022, which allowed him to shift focus to his self-financed Western epic Horizon: An American Saga, for which he had committed over $100 million of personal funds and faced looming release deadlines in 2023. He asserted fulfillment of his original contract—requiring up to 40 filming days per season, which he exceeded in seasons 1 through 4—while disputing claims from producers that he refused more than one week of work on season 5B, attributing any limitations to the late scripts rather than unwillingness. On-set friction reportedly intensified during season 5 filming in 2022, including an incident where Costner allegedly confronted co-star over adherence to Sheridan's script, encouraging in a scene depicting Bentley's character Dutton's potential , which escalated to Costner "lunging" at Bentley and prompting a production halt until resolution. Costner's camp has contested the severity of this account, framing his interventions as efforts to enhance character depth amid perceived script shortcomings, consistent with his history of script doctoring on prior projects. Broader disputes with Sheridan centered on creative control and pay renegotiations; Costner sought elevated compensation—potentially $1.5 million per episode plus backend participation—after initial deals totaling around $1.3 million for the first three seasons, but producers balked amid budget strains and Sheridan's reported frustration with Costner's limited availability. Costner denied a personal with Sheridan, emphasizing commitments over animosity, though leaked emails and insider accounts suggested mutual recriminations, with Sheridan allegedly viewing Costner's Horizon prioritization as a betrayal of the . These issues culminated in Costner's public exit announcement on June 20, 2023, via Instagram, where he stated he would not return for season 5B or future installments, citing irreconcilable scheduling conflicts despite his affection for the role and series. Paramount confirmed the show's conclusion after season 5 in May 2023, implicitly tying the end to Costner's departure, though executives later explored spin-offs excluding Dutton without him. Post-exit, Costner pursued arbitration against Paramount in 2024 over allegedly unpaid bonuses exceeding $12 million for promotional work and expenses, claiming the studio's narrative misrepresented his contributions to justify withholding payments; the matter remained unresolved as of October 2025, with no formal lawsuit filed. In a May 13, 2024, interview, Costner accused the production team of dishonesty regarding his involvement, insisting Yellowstone remained his priority until script delays forced diversification of his commitments.

Horizon project fallout

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, released on June 28, 2024, underperformed at the , earning $11 million in its domestic opening weekend despite a exceeding $100 million and an additional $30 million in marketing costs. The concluded its domestic theatrical run with approximately $29 million, reflecting a significant financial loss for Costner, who had personally invested $38 million to help finance the project after mortgaging one of his properties. The poor reception prompted to pull Chapter 2 from its scheduled August 16, 2024, release, with no theatrical date set as of mid-2025; discussions have surfaced regarding potential streaming distribution, including overtures to for financial relief, though Costner has expressed commitment to completing the planned four-part saga despite the setbacks. Legal complications compounded the fallout, including a May 2025 lawsuit from United Costume Rentals alleging $350,000 in unpaid fees for Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 wardrobe, which settled out of court in August 2025. Additionally, a financing dispute arose between Costner's Horizon Series and over co-financing terms, exacerbating cash flow strains. In October 2025, Devyn LaBella filed suit against Costner, claiming an unscripted rape scene in Chapter 2 constituted ; Costner's motion to dismiss was denied, prolonging the litigation. These developments strained Costner's finances, with reports indicating total personal outlay approaching $100 million across the series, though he maintains no regrets over the self-financed endeavor as a passion project rooted in historical Western expansion. The project's challenges have raised questions about its viability and Costner's future directing prospects, amid broader industry hesitance toward high-risk original epics.

Divorce proceedings and media scrutiny

Christine Baumgartner filed for divorce from Kevin Costner on May 1, 2023, citing irreconcilable differences after 18 years of marriage, with their date of separation listed as April 11, 2023. The couple, who share three children—Cayden (born June 2007), Hayes (born February 2009), and Grace (born June 2010)—faced immediate disputes over their 2004 prenuptial agreement, which Costner invoked to require Baumgartner to vacate their 10.4-acre Santa Barbara estate within 30 days of filing. Baumgartner challenged the prenup's validity, arguing it was outdated and did not account for changes in California law or their financial circumstances. Financial conflicts escalated, with Baumgartner seeking $248,000 in monthly child support based on Costner's reported $1.4 million monthly income, including potential backend earnings from Yellowstone. Costner countered that such earnings were speculative and not guaranteed, estimating his average monthly income at $81,500 after expenses. In a July 2023 hearing, a Santa Barbara judge ruled the prenup enforceable, ordered Costner to advance $200,000 in legal fees to Baumgartner, and set temporary child support at $63,209 per month—far below her request but above Costner's proposal of $40,000. Further acrimony arose from Costner's claim that Baumgartner spent $95,000 on his Sotheby's credit card for divorce-related costs without notice, and her accusation that he concealed assets to reduce support obligations. The parties reached an undisclosed settlement on September 19, 2023, resolving all issues including property division, spousal support (waived per prenup), and child custody, which remained joint with Costner continuing the $63,209 monthly payments. The divorce was finalized on February 16, 2024, when a judge declared the marriage dissolved effective that date, though the settlement's terms had been in place earlier. As of February 2025, Costner has expressed intent to renegotiate alimony provisions if Baumgartner remarries, citing a clause triggered by her engagement to financier Josh Connor. The proceedings attracted intense media coverage due to Costner's estimated $250 million and the overlap with his Yellowstone disputes, where unpaid backend profits factored into support calculations and public narratives of financial strain. Outlets dissected court filings for insights into asset management, prenup efficacy, and Hollywood earnings volatility, often highlighting Costner's prior $80 million settlement with first wife Cindy Silva in 1994 as a cautionary . Such scrutiny amplified perceptions of the as a battle over Yellowstone-linked fortunes, despite Costner's legal wins preserving prenup integrity.

Awards and legacy

Major accolades

Costner won the for Dances with Wolves (1990) at the ceremony on March 25, 1991. He also shared the Best Picture Oscar as producer for the same film, which grossed over $424 million worldwide and marked a significant directorial debut. Costner received a Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of John Dunbar in the Western epic but did not win, with taking the award for . He secured three Golden Globe Awards from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association: Best Director – Motion Picture for Dances with Wolves in 1991, Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film for Hatfields & McCoys (2012) in 2013, and Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama for Yellowstone (2018–2023) in 2023. These victories highlight his versatility across film and television, with the Yellowstone win occurring amid the show's peak viewership of 12.4 million for its season 4 premiere. Costner was awarded a star on the in the motion pictures category on October 24, 2003, located at 7000 , recognizing his contributions to cinema including roles in The Untouchables (1987) and (1989). He holds additional honors such as two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for ensemble casts in (1997) and Yellowstone, though without wins in lead categories.

Cultural impact and reevaluation

Costner's portrayal of Lieutenant John Dunbar in Dances with Wolves (1990), which he directed and starred in, contributed to a resurgence of the Western genre by emphasizing expansive landscapes and historical narratives of frontier expansion. The film grossed over $424 million worldwide on a $19 million budget and received seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner, signaling a commercial and critical validation of revisionist Westerns that incorporated Native American perspectives. It influenced subsequent productions by prioritizing authenticity in depicting Lakota Sioux culture, though critics have noted its reliance on a white protagonist's redemption arc as perpetuating a "white savior" dynamic rather than centering Indigenous agency. This tension underscores the film's role in broadening audience empathy for Native histories while reflecting 1990s Hollywood's limitations in narrative framing. In (1989), Costner's role as Ray Kinsella captured a nostalgic vision of rural America and familial reconciliation through mythology, becoming a cultural touchstone quoted in discussions of redemption and legacy. The film's iconic line "If you build it, he will come" has permeated popular lexicon, inspiring a preserved filming site in , that draws over 100,000 visitors annually and hosts Major League Baseball's annual Field of Dreams game since 2021, which averaged 2.2 million viewers in its debut. This enduring appeal stems from its evocation of post-World War II Americana, blending fantasy with emotional realism to resonate across generations, as evidenced by its selection for the in 2017 for cultural significance. Costner's broader oeuvre, including The Untouchables (1987) and Open Range (2003), reinforced his archetype as an emblem of moral fortitude in American storytelling, influencing perceptions of heroism in law enforcement and rancher tales. His commitment to Westerns extended to television with Yellowstone (2018–2024), where as John Dutton he portrayed rugged individualism amid modernization conflicts, propelling the series to over 12 million weekly viewers at its peak and revitalizing prime-time interest in the genre with spin-offs generating billions in merchandising. This body of work has preserved Western motifs of self-reliance and territorial disputes, countering perceptions of the genre's obsolescence by adapting them to contemporary anxieties over land and heritage. Recent reevaluations highlight shifts in Costner's standing, with early flops like (1995)—budgeted at $175 million and initially derided for excess—gaining cult appreciation for its ambitious dystopian and practical effects, now viewed by some as prescient amid concerns. However, the 2024 release of , self-financed by Costner to $100 million, earned just $38 million domestically amid critiques of pacing and narrative sprawl, prompting scrutiny of his directorial risks in an era favoring serialized formats over epic cinema. His exit from Yellowstone amid reported salary disputes exceeding $1 million per episode has fueled debates on whether his persona as an uncompromising sustains viability, though advocates credit his persistence with sustaining genre vitality against streaming fragmentation. These developments reflect a causal tension between artistic independence and market demands, with Costner's legacy increasingly assessed through financial self-reliance rather than unalloyed triumph.

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