Last Updated on March 1, 2024
Who Is Kevin Costner?
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, film director & producer, television producer, singer, songwriter, and model.
Costner starred in a number of movies before landing his breakout role in 1987’s The Untouchables. Some of his earlier films include Table for Five (1983), Testament (1983), Fandango (1985), American Flyers (1985), and Silverado (1985).
Shortly after starring in The Untouchables, Kevin Costner landed a role in No Way Out (1987). His other notable film appearances in the 80s include Bull Durham (1988) and Field of Dreams (1989).
Costner would later go on to star in scores of movies, including JFK (1991), A Perfect World (1993), The Postman (1997), For Love of the Game (1999), Dragonfly (2002), Mr. Brooks (2007), 3 Days to Kill (2014), and Let Him Go (2020).
On television, Kevin Costner is known for his role in the miniseries Hatfields & McCoys (2012). More recently, Costner is noted for portraying John Dutton on the drama television series, Yellowstone.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Kevin Michael Costner |
Popular Name: | Kevin Costner |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | January 18, 1955 |
Age: | 68 years |
Parents: | William Costner and Sharon Tedrick Rae |
Siblings: | Daniel Craig Costner and Mark Douglas Costner |
Birth Place: | Lynwood, California, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | Mixed (Cherokee Native American, German, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Swiss) |
Education: | Saticoy Elementary School, Cabrillo Middle School, Buena High School, Mt. Whitney High School, Villa Park High School, and California State University – Fullerton |
Marital Status: | Married to model and handbag designer Christine Baumgartner (since 2004); previously married to Cindy Silva (from 1978 until their divorce in 1994) |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Christine Baumgartner |
Children: | Annie Costner, Lily Costner, and Joe Costner (from first marriage to Cindy Silva), Liam Timothy (with a woman named Bridget Rooney, with whom he had a brief relationship after divorcing Cindy), and Cayden Costner, Hayes Costner, and Grace Costner (from his current marriage to Christine Baumgartner) |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | USD 270 million |
Source of Wealth: | Acting, Film Producing & Directing, Television Producing, Singing, Songwriting, Modeling, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 6′ 1″ (1.85 m) |
Weight: | 79 kg; In pounds: 174 lbs. |
Early Life
Kevin Costner was born on January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California, United States, to William Costner and Sharon Tedrick Rae. His father was an electrician who later worked as a utilities executive at Southern California Edison, whereas his mother was a welfare worker.
After attending a couple of high schools, Costner eventually graduated from Villa Park High School in 1973. He then proceeded to the California State University – Fullerton (CSUF), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in marketing & finance in 1978.
Film Career
Kevin Costner took an interest in acting and dancing while in his final year in college. After graduating from college, Costner worked as a marketing executive during the day while attending acting lessons at night. However, he left his marketing job after one month and opted for jobs that could allow him to develop his acting skills, including working on fishing boats and as a truck driver.
Costner’s decision paid off. He was able to land several uncredited roles while still taking acting lessons. In 1987, Kevin Costner got his breakout film role by starring in The Untouchables.
Following his outstanding performance in The Untouchables, it didn’t take long before Costner landed other film roles. He appeared in No Way Out (1987), (1988), and Field of Dreams (1989).
In 1990, Kevin Costner starred in the award-winning film Dances with Wolves. The following year, he landed lead roles in JFK (1991) and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). Costner continued his film success throughout the 90s by starring in a number of other Hollywood blockbusters. Examples include The Bodyguard (1992), A Perfect World (1993), Waterworld, The Postman (1997), Message in a Bottle (1999) and For Love of the Game (1999).
Costner kicked off the new millennium by landing a role in Thirteen Days. He later starred in Miles to Graceland (2001) and Dragonfly (2002).
In 2005, Kevin Costner was cast in Rumor Has It and The Upside of Anger. The following year, Costner starred in The Guardian (2006). He then went on to star in Mr. Brooks (2007), The Man of Steel (2013), 3 Days to Kill (2014), Draft Day (2014), McFarland, USA (2015), Hidden Figures (2016), Criminal (2016), Molly’s Game (2017), and Let Him Go (2020).
Television Career
Although Kevin Costner began his career in the film industry, he’s more recently best known for his role in the drama TV series Yellowstone.
Before joining the cast of Yellowstone, Costner acted in the miniseries Hatfields & McCoys in 2012.
Producing and Directing Career
In 1990, Kevin Costner co-founded the production company Tig Productions, alongside Jim Wilson.
The company released its first project the same year, Dances with Wolves.
Music Career
In music, Kevin Costner is best known for forming the band Kevin Costner & Modern West in 2007.
The group has since released four studio albums. It has also headlined several music festivals, such as the Malibu Guitar Festival.
Awards and Honors
Kevin Costner is the recipient of numerous awards, including 1 Primetime Emmy Award, 2 Academy Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, and 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
He was also honored with the Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement in 1992.
Kevin Costner’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Kevin Costner had a net worth of $270 million. Costner has earned much of his wealth from the film industry.
However, Kevin Costner has also pursued numerous ventures besides acting and filmmaking.
In 1995, Costner acquired the water purification company Ocean Therapy Solutions from the U.S government at a cost of $24 million. One of the company’s most lucrative undertakings happened during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 when it offered its cleanup services to British Petroleum to the tune of $52 million.
Other companies associated with Costner include WestPac Resources and Costner Industries. Costner also owned the Midnight Star Casino in Deadwood, South Dakota. Plus, he was a partial owner of the baseball team Lake County Fielders, based in Zion, Illinois.
Kevin Costner has also invested in a number of real estate properties over the years.
Costner owns a 160-acre property in Aspen, Colorado, which he acquired over a 3-decade period. He’s also associated with a 17-acre property in Carpinteria, California, and an additional 10-acre property in the same town.
Lessons from Kevin Costner
1. Grades don’t define you
Kevin Costner was not academically inclined in school. However, he excelled in other activities, including football and poetry, as well as singing and playing the piano. The latter played a major role in shaping his acting career.
2. Everything happens for a reason
While returning from a honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta with his wife Cindy, Kevin Costner had a chance encounter with accomplished actor Richard Burton on the plane. The couple’s brief conversation with Burton was a turning point in Costner’s quest to become an actor.
3. Hard work never goes unrewarded
After graduating from college, Kevin Costner worked during the day while attending acting classes at night. It wasn’t long before his hard work and determination was handsomely rewarded in the form of movie roles.
Famous Quotes by Kevin Costner
• I haven’t lived a perfect life. I have regrets. But that’s from a lifetime of taking chances, making decisions, and trying not to be frozen. The only thing that I can do with my regrets is understand them.
• We stand our best chance of leaving a legacy to those who want to learn, our children, by standing firm. In matters of style, hey, swing with the stream. But in matters of principle, you need to stand like a rock.
• There’s real drama in performing live. You never know how it’s going to be.
• I’ve had some movies that have been ridiculed, but that’s OK with me. I don’t feel that really defines me. Should I change who I am to be popular?
• I’m only interested in being a good actor and in being remembered for my best films, not for the way I look. But it seems inevitable in this line of work that I have to care about the way I look without getting obsessed about it.
Wrap Up
Kevin Costner is an American actor and filmmaker with a career spanning close to four decades.
In addition to making a name for himself in the film industry, Costner has also earned millions from his various endeavors. He has a net worth of $270 million as of 2023.