Kevin Costner Bio
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. 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).
Early Life and Background
Kevin Costner was born on January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California, and grew up in Compton, California. His parents were William and Sharon Costner. He is the youngest of three boys, with his second brother having died at birth. Sharon Rae Costner was a welfare worker, and William Costner was an electrician and a utilities executive. Costner’s father’s heritage traces back to German immigrants in the 1700s, and he also has English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Cherokee ancestry. Raised in a Baptist household, Costner was not academically inclined in school but participated in sports, took piano lessons, wrote poetry, and sang in the First Baptist Choir. His love for Western films was inspired by watching the 1962 film How the West Was Won. Costner spent his teenage years moving around California due to his father’s job, which he described as a time when he lost confidence and had to make new friends frequently. He graduated from Villa Park High School in 1973, where he played baseball and was in the marching band. He earned a BA from California State University, Fullerton, in 1978, where he also became a brother in the Delta Chi fraternity.
Path to Hollywood
Costner developed an interest in acting and dancing during his last year of college. In 1978, while on an airplane returning from his honeymoon, he had a chance encounter with actor Richard Burton, who encouraged him to pursue acting. After this encounter, Costner began taking acting lessons five nights a week while working various jobs to support his tuition. He made his film debut in Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. (1981) and played a minor role in the Ron Howard film Night Shift (1982). His breakout role came in the 1985 film Silverado, which was directed by Lawrence Kasdan, a friend of Costner. This film helped solidify his career in Hollywood.
Kevin Costner Career
Early Career (1978–1986)
Kevin Costner’s early career was marked by various roles in films and television. He made his film debut in Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. (1981) and appeared in several other films, including The Big Chill (1983) and Testament (1983). His role in Silverado (1985) was a significant turning point, leading to his rise in prominence. Costner also starred in the films Fandango and American Flyers in 1985.
Breakthrough (1987–1994)
Costner achieved movie star status in 1987 with his role as federal agent Eliot Ness in The Untouchables, followed by a leading role in the thriller No Way Out. He solidified his A-list status with the baseball-themed films Bull Durham (1988) and Field of Dreams (1989). In 1990, he directed and starred in Dances With Wolves, which won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. He portrayed Robin Hood in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) and starred in the political thriller JFK (1991), earning a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. Costner’s role in The Bodyguard (1992) alongside Whitney Houston became a pop-culture phenomenon, further establishing his status in Hollywood.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kevin Costner’s signature work includes Dances With Wolves, which earned him two Academy Awards. He has also starred in numerous successful films, including JFK, The Bodyguard, and Field of Dreams, which have left a lasting impact on the film industry.
Kevin Costner Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Kevin Costner has received numerous nominations for his performances, including several Academy Award nominations and Golden Globe nominations.
Kevin Costner Awards Won
Kevin Costner has won multiple prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director for Dances With Wolves, and a Primetime Emmy Award for his role in Hatfields & McCoys.
Kevin Costner Family
Kevin Costner was married to Cindy Silva from 1978 until their divorce in 1994. They have three children together: daughters Annie Costner (born 1984) and Lily Costner (born 1986), and son Joseph Costner (born 1988). He later married Christine Baumgartner in 2004, and they have three children: sons Cayden Costner (born 2007) and Hayes Costner (born 2009), and daughter Grace Costner (born 2010). Costner and Baumgartner finalized their divorce in February 2024.
Personal Life
Kevin Costner has been involved in several high-profile relationships throughout his life. He had a brief relationship with Bridget Rooney, with whom he has a son, Luca Costner (born 1996). He has also dated notable figures such as supermodel Elle Macpherson. Costner has been active in philanthropy, serving on the honorary board for the National World War I Museum and supporting various charitable causes. He has also been involved in political activism, supporting both Democratic and Republican candidates over the years. Costner’s personal life has often been in the public eye, particularly regarding his marriages and family.
