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Kevin Costner Actor
Kevin Michael Costner, born on January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California, is a celebrated American actor, producer, and director, known for his versatile talent across multiple mediums. His illustrious career has been adorned with prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Kevin Costner gained widespread recognition through iconic roles in films like “The Untouchables” (1987), “Bull Durham” (1988), “Field of Dreams” (1989), “JFK” (1991), “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1991), “The Bodyguard” (1992), “A Perfect World” (1993), and “Wyatt Earp” (1994). However, it was his directorial and starring role in the western epic “Dances with Wolves” (1990) that solidified his status as a cinematic force, earning him dual Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.
Throughout his career, Kevin Costner has showcased his versatility in a myriad of roles, including in films such as “Silverado” (1985), “No Way Out” (1987), “Tin Cup” (1996), “Message in a Bottle” (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). He has also delivered memorable supporting performances in “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).
In addition to his accomplishments on the big screen, Kevin Costner has made significant contributions to television. He won acclaim for his portrayal of Devil Anse Hatfield in the miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys” (2012), earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor. Since 2018, he has captivated audiences as John Dutton in the Paramount Network original drama series “Yellowstone,” garnering further accolades and nominations.
Kevin Costner journey to stardom was marked by determination and perseverance. Despite facing initial setbacks, he pursued his passion for acting wholeheartedly after a chance encounter with Richard Burton, eventually carving out a remarkable career that continues to inspire audiences worldwide.
Early and Personal Life
Kevin Costner entered the world on January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California, and grew up in Compton. His parents, William and Sharon Costner, raised him alongside his two brothers, though tragically, one passed away at birth. Sharon worked as a welfare worker, while William juggled roles as an electrician and utilities executive. Costner’s lineage traces back to German immigrants in North Carolina during the 1700s, with additional roots in English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh ancestry. Raised in the Baptist faith, Kevin Costner found solace in sports, music, and creative pursuits during his schooling years, including football, piano, poetry, and choir singing. His passion for Western films ignited after watching “How the West Was Won” in 1962.
During his teenage years, Kevin Costner’s family moved around California due to his father’s career, which led to frequent changes in schools and friendships, causing him to grapple with confidence issues. He spent time in Ventura and Visalia before attending Mt. Whitney High School and eventually graduating from Villa Park High School in 1973, where he played baseball. He furthered his education at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), earning a BA in 1978 and joining the Delta Chi fraternity.
While pondering his future during a flight back from his honeymoon, Costner serendipitously encountered actor Richard Burton, seeking advice on pursuing acting. Encouraged by Burton, Kevin Costner delved into acting lessons while balancing odd jobs to support himself and his wife, Cindy Silva, whom he married in 1978. The couple had three children before divorcing in 1994 amidst rumors of infidelity during the filming of “Waterworld,” resulting in a substantial settlement for Silva. Costner subsequently had relationships with Bridget Rooney, Birgit Cunningham, and a cohabitation with supermodel Elle Macpherson in 1996.
In 2004, Kevin Costner tied the knot with model and handbag designer Christine Baumgartner, with whom he shares three children. However, their marriage hit a rough patch, leading to Baumgartner filing for divorce in 2023, which was finalized in early 2024.
Career
Kevin Costner journey in film began with his debut in “Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.” (1981), although the movie faced release delays and confusion over his actual first appearance, often credited to “The Touch” (1983). Before gaining recognition, he played minor roles in films like “Night Shift” (1982), “Testament” (1983), and had scenes cut from “The Big Chill” (1983). His breakthrough came with “Silverado” (1985), followed by roles in “Fandango” and “American Flyers” in the same year, and an episode of “Amazing Stories” with Kiefer Sutherland.
Kevin Costner career continued to flourish with diverse roles, including Jonathan Kent in “Man of Steel” (2013) and appearances in “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” (2014), “3 Days to Kill” (2014), “Draft Day” (2014), and “Black or White” (2014), which he also produced. He impressed in “McFarland, USA” (2015), “Hidden Figures” (2016), and “Molly’s Game” (2017). His TV series debut came with “Yellowstone” in 2018, a milestone in his career. He voiced Enzo the dog in “The Art of Racing in the Rain” (2019), his first voice-over role.
Kevin Costner embarked on a grand project, “Horizon: An American Saga,” a series of four lengthy films, starting production in 2022. He also pursued musical endeavors with his band Modern West, releasing albums and performing concerts. Costner expanded his ventures, co-founding the audio entertainment app HearHere in 2020. He’s also delved into writing, co-authoring “The Explorer’s Guild: A Passage to Shambhala” in 2015 and contributing to Tim Ferriss’ book “Tools of Titans.”
Mini Bio
| Name | Info |
|---|---|
| Name | Kevin Michael Costner |
| Date of Birth | January 18, 1955 |
| Birth Place | Lynwood, California, U.S. |
| Citizenship | U.S |
| Nationality | U.S |
| University | California State University, Fullerton |
| Profession | Actor, Film Producer |
| Career | 1978 – present |
| Died | April 5, 2024 |
| Died Place | Kansas, USA |
| Spouse |
|
| Marriage Date | N/A |
| Parents | William Costner, Sharon Costner |
| Siblings | Daniel Craig Costner, Mark Douglas Costner |
| Children | 7 |
| Children Name |
|
Flims / Movies
| Year | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. | |
| 1982 | Chasing Dreams | |
| 1982 | Night Shift | |
| 1982 | Frances | |
| 1983 | Stacy’s Knights | |
| 1983 | Table for Five | |
| 1983 | Testament | |
| 1983 | The Big Chill | |
| 1984 | Shadows Run Black | |
| 1985 | Fandango | |
| 1985 | Silverado | |
| 1985 | American Flyers | |
| 1987 | The Untouchables | |
| 1987 | No Way Out | |
| 1988 | Bull Durham | |
| 1989 | Field of Dreams | |
| 1989 | The Gunrunner | |
| 1990 | Revenge | |
| 1990 | Dances with Wolves | |
| 1991 | Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves | |
| 1991 | JFK | |
| 1992 | The Bodyguard | |
| 1993 | A Perfect World | |
| 1994 | A Century of Cinema | |
| 1994 | Wyatt Earp | |
| 1994 | The War | |
| 1995 | Waterworld | |
| 1996 | Tin Cup | |
| 1997 | Sean Connery: An Intimate Portrait | |
| 1997 | The Postman | |
| 1999 | Message in a Bottle | |
| 1999 | For Love of the Game | |
| 1999 | Play It to the Bone | |
| 2000 | Thirteen Days | |
| 2001 | 3000 Miles to Graceland | |
| 2002 | Dragonfly | |
| 2003 | Open Range | |
| 2005 | The Upside of Anger | |
| 2005 | Rumor Has It | |
| 2006 | The Guardian | |
| 2007 | Mr. Brooks | |
| 2008 | Swing Vote | |
| 2009 | The New Daughter | |
| 2010 | The Company Men | |
| 2013 | Man of Steel | |
| 2014 | Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit | |
| 2014 | 3 Days to Kill | |
| 2014 | Draft Day | |
| 2014 | The Man Who Saved the World | |
| 2014 | Black or White | |
| 2015 | McFarland, USA | |
| 2016 | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | |
| 2016 | Criminal | |
| 2016 | Hidden Figures | |
| 2017 | Molly’s Game | |
| 2019 | The Highwaymen | |
| 2019 | The Art of Racing in the Rain | |
| 2020 | Let Him Go | |
| 2021 | Zack Snyder’s Justice League | |
| 2024 | Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 † | |
| 2024 | Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 † |
Television / Shows
