Kevin Costner Biography

(American Actor and Director Known for His Academy-Award Winning Movie 'Dances with Wolves')

Birthday: January 18, 1955 (Capricorn)

Born In: Lynwood, California, United States

Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, director, and singer, best known for his impressive portrayal of rugged characters with complex emotions. Born to a middle-class parents, he attended several schools to complete his education but was never too inclined towards academics. He took more interest in sports and artistic activities, such as playing the piano and writing poems. After graduating from the business school at California State University, Fullerton, Kevin Costner took up a marketing job despite desiring a career in acting. After an accidental meeting with the actor Richard Burton, who encouraged him to pursue acting seriously, Costner started taking acting lessons and took up different jobs to support his family. After appearing in cameos and minor roles in some of his early films, he appeared in the 1987 movie The Untouchables which proved to be the turning point of his career. He followed it up with breakthrough performances in films, such as No Way Out, Bull Durham, and Field of Dreams, all of which solidified his status as a star actor. Later on, he established himself as an exceptional director and producer with his epic Western war film Dances with Wolves which received the Academy Award for Best Picture and earned him the Academy Award for Best Director. In 2023, he bagged in a 'Golden Globe Award' for his performance in series 'Yellowstone.'

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Kevin Michael Costner

Age: 69 Years, 69 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Christine Baumgartner (m. 2004), Cindy Costner (m. 1978–1994)

father: William Costner

mother: Sharon Costner

siblings: Daniel Craig Costner, Mark Douglas Costner

children: Annie Costner, Cayden Wyatt Costner, Grace Avery Costner, Hayes Logan Costner, Joe Costner, Liam Costner, Lily Costner

Born Country: United States

Actors American Men

Height: 6'1" (185 cm), 6'1" Males

Personality: ISFP

Ancestry: Irish American, British American, German American

U.S. State: California

More Facts

education: California State University, Fullerton

  • 1

    Is Kevin Costner a musician?

    Yes, Kevin Costner is a musician and leads the band Kevin Costner & Modern West.
  • 2

    What was Kevin Costner's directorial debut film?

    Kevin Costner's directorial debut film was "Dances with Wolves," which won him two Academy Awards.
  • 3

    Did Kevin Costner star in the movie Field of Dreams?

    Yes, Kevin Costner starred in the popular movie "Field of Dreams" released in 1989.

  • 4

    Has Kevin Costner ever played a superhero in a movie?

    Yes, Kevin Costner played the role of Jonathan Kent, Superman's adoptive father, in the movie "Man of Steel."
  • 5

    Is Kevin Costner involved in any environmental conservation efforts?

    Yes, Kevin Costner is known for his involvement in environmental conservation efforts, particularly in ocean conservation and oil spill cleanup technology.
Childhood & Early Life

Kevin Costner was born on January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California, USA, to William Costner, an electrician who later served as utilities executive, and his wife, Sharon Rae Costner, a welfare worker. Kevin, the youngest son in the family, grew up with two brothers, namely Daniel Craig Costner and Mark Douglas Costner.

Kevin Costner received his education from Buena High School and Villa Park High School, but was not inclined towards academics. He took piano lessons, wrote poetry, and also sang in the First Baptist Choir.

In 1978, he obtained a B.A in marketing and finance from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). While in college, he also served as a member of the Delta Chi fraternity.

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Career

He had a keen interest in acting, but upon his marriage to Cindy, he agreed to undertake a job as a marketing executive. While returning from his honeymoon, he met Richard Burton on the plane who fueled his ambition of becoming an actor. Burton’s advice to him was to drop everything else if he wishes to make a career in movies.

Thereafter, Costner gave up his marketing job and started taking acting lessons five nights a week with the support of his wife. He did odd jobs to support his career and family, including jobs as a truck driver and Hollywood tour guide. He also piloted the Jungle Cruise ride in Disneyland.

In 1983, he was credited as the dead friend Alex in the movie The Big Chill. However, his face never appeared on screen.

In 1985, Kevin Costner was noted for his role as Scott Glenn's endearingly goofy brother in the American Western film, Silverado.

His breakthrough came with the 1987 movie The Untouchables in which he portrayed the role of Eliot Ness, a federal agent. The same year, he also played the lead role in the thriller No Way Out which solidified his star status.

He achieved further success from the baseball movies, such as Bull Durham (1988) and Field of Dreams (1989) which made him a popular lead actor. Subsequently, he formed his own production company and made Dances with Wolves (1990).

In 1991, he played the title role in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and appeared in the movie JFK. The following year, he starred in the romantic film The Bodyguard.

Some of Kevin Costner’s other movies in the 1990s include A Perfect World (1993), Waterworld (1995), The Postman (1997), and For Love of the Game (1999).

In 2000, he appeared in the movie Thirteen Days and has since appeared in several other movies, including The Upside of Anger (2005), The Guardian (2006), Swing Vote (2008), and Man of Steel (2013).

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Kevin Costner is a singer in the country-rock band Kevin Costner & Modern West which he founded. The band has released four albums, Untold Truths (2008), Turn It On (2010), From Where I Stand (2011), and Famous for Killing Each Other: Music from and Inspired By Hatfields & McCoys (2012). He has also performed at various events.

In 2014, Costner appeared in five movies of different genres. These films include Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, 3 Days to Kill, Draft Day, Black or White, and the documentary movie The Man Who Saved the World.

He has portrayed various roles, such as a coach in McFarland, USA (2015), NASA Space Task Group Supervisor in Hidden Figures (2016), clinical psychologist in Molly’s Game (2017), and Texas Ranger in Highwaymen (2019). In 2020, he starred in neo-western film Let Him Go which grossed over $11.6 million and earned positive reviews. 

He made his first regular television debut in the drama series Yellowstone where he played John Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton family. The series is currently aired in Paramount Network after it was renewed for its fourth season.

Major Works

In 1990, Kevin Costner produced, directed, and acted in the movie Dances with Wolves, which was about an American Civil War soldier who becomes part of a Sioux community. The film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won seven of them.

Awards & Achievements

For his 1990 film Dances with Wolves, Costner won the Academy Award for Best Director and also received the Academy Award for Best Picture for producing the film.

In 2012, he played the head of the Hatfield family in the three-part miniseries Hatfields & McCoys. The role earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie and also the Golden Globe for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.

In 2023, he bagged in a 'Golden Globe Award' for his performance in series 'Yellowstone.'

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Personal Life & Legacy

In 1975, while studying in college, he started dating fellow student Cindy Silva, whom he married in 1978. They have three children, namely Anne Clayton, Lily McCall, and Joseph ‘Joe’ Tedrick. In 1994, the couple got divorced after 16 years of marriage.

Following his divorce, he had a brief relationship with Bridget Rooney, with whom he has a son named Liam.

In 2004, he entered wedlock with his girlfriend, Christine Baumgartner, a German-American model. The couple is blessed with three children: Cayden Wyatt Costner, Hayes Logan, and Grace Avery.

Initially a supporter of the Republican Party, Costner frequently used to play golf with former US President Ronald Reagan. However, because of varying interests, he became a supporter of the Democratic Party and campaigned for Barack Obama in the 2008 elections.

Facts About Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner is an accomplished musician and has a band called Kevin Costner & Modern West, which has released several albums.
He is an avid baseball fan and even played in celebrity baseball games alongside professional players.
Costner owns a successful olive oil company called "Costner Industries Nevada Corporation," which produces premium quality olive oil.
He is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying small planes in his free time.
Costner is a skilled equestrian and has competed in rodeo events, showcasing his versatility beyond acting.

Kevin Costner Movies

1. Dances with Wolves (1990)

  (Adventure, Western, Drama)

2. The Untouchables (1987)

  (Drama, Thriller, Crime)

3. JFK (1991)

  (Thriller, Drama, History)

4. Open Range (2003)

  (Western, Drama, Romance)

5. Field of Dreams (1989)

  (Sport, Family, Fantasy, Drama)

6. Hidden Figures (2016)

  (Drama, Biography, History)

7. No Way Out (1987)

  (Drama, Mystery, Crime, Action, Thriller, Romance)

8. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

  (Adventure, Drama, Romance, Action)

9. A Perfect World (1993)

  (Thriller, Crime, Drama)

10. The Big Chill (1983)

  (Comedy, Drama)

Awards

Academy Awards(Oscars)
1991 Best Picture Dances with Wolves (1990)
1991 Best Director Dances with Wolves (1990)
Golden Globe Awards
2013 Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Hatfields & McCoys (2012)
1991 Best Director - Motion Picture Dances with Wolves (1990)
Primetime Emmy Awards
2012 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Hatfields & McCoys (2012)
People's Choice Awards
1993 Favorite Motion Picture Actor Winner
1993 Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture Actor Winner
1992 Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture Actor Winner

See the events in life of Kevin Costner in Chronological Order

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Article Title
- Kevin Costner Biography
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- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/kevin-michael-costner-2078.php

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