Kevin Costner, 70, Opens Up About Retirement and What’s Still on His Bucket List (Exclusive)
Kevin Costner, 70, Says Retirement Isn’t on His Radar: “My Imagination Drives Me”
Kevin Costner isn’t planning to step away from Hollywood anytime soon.
At 70, the award-winning actor, director, and producer says he’s still fueled by creativity—and not at all thinking about retirement.
“I don’t even think about retiring, because I’ll just move to the next thing that captures my imagination,” Costner shares in an exclusive interview. A longtime partner of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Costner says he’s guided more by inspiration than any career timeline.
“My imagination is what determines what I do, not a boss,” he explains. “We’re all different, and we all have our own paths.”
Reflecting on his decades in the industry, he adds, “I’ve felt really lucky in my life. I’d like to think I worked for all of it, but not everyone can live by the same blueprint.”
Costner’s journey in Hollywood began with his film debut in Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. (1981), and his rise was swift. He gained acclaim for roles in classics like The Untouchables (1987), Bull Durham (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), JFK (1991), and The Bodyguard (1992). He also earned two Academy Awards for directing and producing Dances With Wolves (1990).
In television, Costner won an Emmy for his performance in Hatfields & McCoys (2012) and captivated audiences in Yellowstone (2018–2023), earning a Golden Globe for his role as John Dutton.
Most recently, he launched the Horizon: An American Saga film series, which he stars in, directs, writes, and produces. Two chapters have been released, with more on the way.
When asked whether he still has items left on his bucket list, Costner replies that he doesn’t think of it that way.
“I don’t have a bucket list, exactly,” he says. “I do have a list, but I don’t refer to it that way. My eyes and enthusiasms are wide open.”
“I’ve so enjoyed life—imagining what I can do, what I can be a part of, and what can make a difference,” he adds. “Not just for me, but for others too. What truly satisfies me?”
As a father of seven, Costner reflects on the urgency of time: “I think about all the things I want to do, and it feels like a rush to get to them all.”
