Happy birthday to Kevin Costner! In his career so far, he’s brought a tidal wave of great movies to Hollywood and has two Oscars on his shelf (Best Picture and Best Director, both for Dances With Wolves), along with numerous other awards.
Born in southern California on Jan. 18, 1955, Costner grew up in Compton, the city known for the birth of West Coast rap. Costner, however, went in a different direction. After studying acting while attending college at a state university, Costner ran into actor Richard Burton on an airplane. He gathered up the courage to ask for advice. According to Costner, Burton encouraged him to go into acting. Turns out Burton’s instinct was spot on.
After making movies for more than three decades, Costner is still going strong. Let’s take a look back at his career and celebrate his seemingly eternal hotness. Even at 63, Costner can still make women swoon. Let’s start by looking at one of his early gigs: a TV commercial.
Apple computer television commercial
According to this ad from 1983, there are two kinds of people: those who use computers and those who use Apples. With Costner’s good looks, he made the perfect spokesman for the cutting-edge home computer revolution.
Breakout role in The Untouchables
Playing federal agent Elliot Ness, Costner was launched into stardom with the hit movie The Untouchables (1987). In this clip, he’s getting schooled by Sean Connery in how to bring down Al Capone “the Chicago way.”
No Way Out
It’s a rite of passage for all leading male actors to play a spy, and this film, also from 1987, gave Costner a chance to play a double agent. He stars with the lovely Sean Young, whose dress in this clip definitely tells us it was the ’80s.
Field of Dreams
This epic baseball movie from 1989 touched audiences, inspiring viewers young and old to follow their dreams. In this clip, Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) appears as a ghost with a special message.
Dances With Wolves
In this epic western from 1990, Costner plays an army lieutenant who’s assigned to a remote Civil War outpost and has a spiritual awakening as he befriends the native people. The movie was nominated for 12 Oscars. Costner won two and established himself as a permanent Hollywood mogul. In this clip, he meets the beautiful Stands with a Fist (Mary McDonnell).
Costner calls Madonna’s concert “neat”
In the 1991 documentary Madonna: Truth or Dare, Costner comes backstage after Madonna’s live show to meet the songstress. But instead of complimenting her performance, he simply calls the show “neat.” Madonna gives him a well-deserved blow off.
Hatfields & McCoys
This Emmy-winning original TV series from 2012 about the most famous American family feud in history was a breakout success for the History Channel. Costner plays Devil Anse Hatfield and discusses his plan for revenge in this clip.
Hidden Figures
Costner plays a top-ranking NASA official at the height of the space race. The film won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in 2017. In this clip, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) explains why using the restroom takes her 40 minutes each day.
Molly’s Game
Costner is currently starring in the Aaron Sorkin film Molly’s Game. The film tells the true story of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), a woman who made millions by running an underground poker ring.
Yellowstone
So, what’s next for Costner? He’ll be playing the patriarch of a Montana ranching family who must protect their land in the Old West. Yellowstone airs later this year on the Paramount Network.
Costner has certainly portrayed some memorable characters over the years, and we have no doubt that he will keep going both in film and television. We wish him the very happiest of birthdays!
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