Kevin Costner

NAME Kevin Michael Costner

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Kevin Costner is an American actor, director, producer, and musician, renowned for his roles in iconic films such as Dances with Wolves (1990), The Bodyguard (1992), and Field of Dreams (1989). He is also known for his work in the television series Yellowstone.

BIRTH Kevin Costner was born on January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Costner is the youngest of three sons born to electrician Bill Costner and welfare worker Sharon Costner. Tragically, his middle brother died at birth.

His family's diverse heritage, tracing back to German immigrants in the 1700s and encompassing English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh roots, has shaped his identity.

CHILDHOOD Costner's childhood was marked by frequent moves due to his father's work, leading him to feel like an outsider and a daydreamer. Despite these challenges, he maintained a close bond with his parents and developed a love for sports, music, and the arts.

Costner’s childhood was marked by outdoor adventures. At 18, he demonstrated his love for nature by building his own canoes and paddling down the rivers that Lewis and Clark followed to the Pacific.

EDUCATION After graduating from Villa Park High School in 1973, Costner attended California State University, Fullerton, where he earned a degree in business administration. It was during his college years that he first discovered his passion for acting and dancing, setting the stage for a remarkable career in Hollywood.

CAREER RECORD Before fame, Costner worked as a skipper on Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise ride and gave bus tours of Los Angeles stars’ homes. His first film role was in the low-budget 1981 film Sizzle Beach. He gained recognition after The Big Chill (1983), even though his scenes were cut. His breakthrough came with Silverado (1985).

Costner won two Academy Awards in 1990 for Dances with Wolves (Best Director and Best Picture) and went on to star in numerous classics, including The Untouchables and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

APPEARANCE Kevin Costner is instantly recognizable for his piercing blue-gray eyes and his signature sandy hair, which has now gracefully transitioned into a distinguished shade of gray. This natural evolution of his hair color complements his mature and sophisticated appearance.

Costner possesses a tall, lean build that has been a defining characteristic throughout his career. This physique has suited him well for a variety of roles, especially in Westerns and sports-themed films. His athletic frame and graceful movements often evoke the image of an outfielder, reflecting his background in sports and the numerous athletic roles he has portrayed.

Standing at 6'1", Costner was only 5'2" when he graduated high school but had a growth spurt soon after. 

Costner in 2024 by Arielaortizb

FASHION Costner’s style leans toward casual sophistication, often favoring tailored suits for formal events and cowboy-inspired attire for casual occasions.

CHARACTER Costner is described as ambitious, creative, and grounded, traits that have shaped both his career and personal life.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Costner has a knack for delivering humorous observations about life and his career. "I've had some movies that have been ridiculed, but that's OK with me," he once said. "I don't feel that really defines me. Should I change who I am to be popular?"

RELATIONSHIPS Kevin Costner's first marriage was to Cindy Silva, a fellow student at California State University, Fullerton. They tied the knot in 1978 and remained married for 16 years, divorcing in 1994.

On September 25, 2024, Costner married model and handbag designer Christine Baumgartner. Their wedding was a lavish affair held at his Aspen ranch, The Dunbar. However, after 18 years of marriage, Baumgartner filed for divorce in 2023, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in February 2024.

Costner is the father of seven children from three different relationships. With his first wife, Cindy Silva, he has three children: Annie, Lily, and Joe. He also has a son, Liam, with former partner Bridget Rooney. With his second wife, Christine Baumgartner, he has three younger children: Cayden Wyatt, Hayes Logan, and Grace Avery.

MONEY AND FAME Costner’s success in Hollywood and business ventures, including a golf course, have solidified his status as a wealthy celebrity. As of 2024, Kevin Costner's net worth is estimated at $250 million

FOOD AND DRINK Kevin Costner has developed a fondness for coffee in recent years, often starting his day with a large cup of coffee, sometimes even topped with whipped cream. He particularly enjoys mocha-flavored coffee and has even collaborated with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters to create his own blends, including a Mountainside Mocha Latte.

While he's been described as a picky eater, Costner does have a few favorite dishes. He enjoys simple, home-cooked meals, with pineapple bourbon bread pudding being a particular favorite. When it comes to dessert, he has a soft spot for classic apple pie, especially store-bought versions.

Costner's eating habits can be somewhat contradictory. While he often claims to be on a diet and avoids sugar, he also indulges in sweet treats like apple pie. He's not particularly adventurous with food and prefers simple, familiar dishes.

MUSIC AND ARTS Costner founded the country-rock band Kevin Costner & Modern West in 2007. Their album Untold Truths peaked at #61 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. He also convinced Whitney Houston to cover Dolly Parton’s "I Will Always Love You," which became a global hit.

Costner on stage in 2010 by Brennan Schnell at https://www.flickr.com/photos/eastscene/

Kevin Costner, a man who seems to have stepped straight out of a Western, is one of those rare breeds of Hollywood actor who can do it all. He’s a fine actor, a capable director, and a producer with a nose for a good story.

He burst onto the scene in the late 80s and early 90s with a string of hits that included The Untouchables, Bull Durham, and Field of Dreams. But it was his epic western, Dances with Wolves, that truly cemented his status as a Hollywood heavyweight. Winning Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, the film was a critical and commercial success.

In the years since, Costner has continued to churn out a steady stream of films, some good, some not so good. He’s tackled everything from historical dramas to sci-fi thrillers. And while he might not always hit the bullseye, he's always interesting to watch.

LITERATURE Costner has a passion for storytelling, particularly historical and Western themes, which is reflected in his film projects.

Costner co--authored a novel/graphic novel hybrid called The Explorer's Guild: A Passage to Shambhala.

He enjoyed writing poetry in his spare time during his youth.

NATURE His love for nature was evident in his canoeing adventure at 18 and his environmentally conscious projects, including funding oil-water separation technology.

PETS Costner has a large number of dogs - he is said to have eight or nine dogs as part of his family.The actor seems to have a particular fondness for Labrador Retrievers. 

In 2010, his white Labrador, Daisy, made headlines when she accompanied Costner on a flight from California to Canada to help rescue shelter dogs affected by wildfires

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Costner is a skilled equestrian who performed his own horseback stunts in The Postman. 

He excelled in basketball, baseball, and football during high school. 

Kevin Costner's love for baseball is well-known, evident in many of his films. He's a dedicated fan, attending Texas Longhorns baseball practices and games, and making an effort to watch every College World Series game played by his alma mater, Cal State Fullerton Titans. He even owned a part of the minor league baseball team, the Lake County Fielders.

Beyond baseball, Costner is an avid water sports enthusiast, often engaging in surfing, spearfishing, lobster diving, and exploring tide pools with his children near their Santa Barbara home. 

He's also a golfer, having played with former US Presidents George Bush and Ronald Reagan. 

Additionally, he's a supporter of Arsenal Football Club, once going to the extent of booking a private helicopter to attend a match.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Costner’s interest in science is notable through his investment in oil-water separation technology used during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Costner’s work often explores themes of heroism, morality, and the human spirit, reflecting a thoughtful worldview.

Costner's spiritual journey is a complex blend of his Baptist upbringing and his evolving personal beliefs. While he grew up attending church regularly and singing in the choir, he now identifies as a Christian with agnostic leanings, expressing a desire to believe in a higher power and an afterlife while acknowledging intellectual doubts.

Despite these complexities, Costner maintains certain spiritual practices, including prayer, particularly for his children. He also recognizes a sense of divine guidance in his life and acknowledges his own imperfections.

Costner's religious background has also influenced his work as a filmmaker. He often incorporates elements of faith into his films, such as in Horizon: An American Saga, where faith is portrayed as a crucial element for the settlers. He also incorporates Scripture verses when they are contextually appropriate.

POLITICS Costner has expressed moderate political views, supporting environmental initiatives and occasionally endorsing candidates.

SCANDAL Costner has managed to avoid significant scandals, maintaining a largely positive public image.

MILITARY RECORD Costner has no military background, though he has portrayed military characters in films like Thirteen Days (2000).

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS He is known for his dedication to fitness and health. His physical fitness is notable, particularly for his action and Western roles that demand endurance and skill.

HOMES Kevin Costner is known for his lavish lifestyle and owns several luxurious properties across the United States.

In California, he possesses a 1.4-acre beachfront estate in Carpinteria, valued at approximately $145 million. This expansive property includes a main house, two additional houses, 500 feet of private beach, and a baseball field. Additionally, he owns a 10-acre estate in Santa Barbara, which he recently mortgaged to fund his film Horizon: An American Saga.

In Colorado, Costner owns the 160-acre Dunbar Ranch in Aspen. This stunning property features three separate buildings, breathtaking views of the Elk Mountain Range and Continental Divide, and various amenities such as a baseball field, sledding hill, and private ice rink.

Costner owns multiple properties, including a sprawling ranch in Aspen, Colorado, where he enjoys the outdoors.

TRAVEL Costner enjoys traveling, particularly for his career, and has filmed on location around the globe. He narrates podcasts for HearHere, an audio entertainment travel app he co-founded

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Costner remains a prominent figure in both film and television, with his role in Yellowstone garnering widespread acclaim.

ACHIEVEMENTS Kevin Costner has won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and an Emmy Award, cementing his legacy as a Hollywood icon. He is also known for his philanthropic contributions to environmental and disaster relief efforts.