Kevin Costner, 70, Shuts Down Retirement Rumors and Gears Up for New Projects
Kevin Costner Credits Imagination—Not Bosses—for His Enduring Hollywood Career
At 70, Yellowstone star Kevin Costner is showing no signs of slowing down—and he’s certainly not thinking about retirement.
With a career spanning over four decades, the Oscar-winning actor, director, and producer is currently immersed in multiple projects, including his ambitious Horizon western saga. In a recent interview, Costner made it clear that he’s far from done.
“I don’t even think about retiring, because I’ll just move on to the next thing that captures my imagination,” he said. “Imagination is what determines what I do, not a boss.”
Reflecting on his career, Costner added, “We’re all different and have different things happening for us. I’ve felt really lucky in my life. I’d like to think I worked for all of it, but not everybody can live by the same blueprint.”
Costner began his film career in 1981 with Malibu Hot Summer and has since remained a constant presence in Hollywood. From starring in classics like The Bodyguard and The Postman to directing and acting in the critically acclaimed Dances with Wolves, his creative drive has never wavered.
While he doesn’t have a formal “bucket list,” Costner says his curiosity and excitement for new ideas continue to guide him. “My eyes and my enthusiasms are wide open and very big,” he shared. “I’ve so enjoyed life and imagining what I can do, what I can be about, and what makes a difference—not only to me, but to other people.”
He added, “I go through that whole idea, and you realize it’s about time. It’s a rush to get to all of them.”
Costner’s current workload backs up his words. The first two chapters of Horizon, the western epic he writes, directs, and stars in, were released last year. The third installment is now in production, with a fourth planned. Beyond that, he’s writing and acting in two more films currently in pre-production and producing four television projects.
Outside of work, Costner is also a devoted father to seven children. He shares his oldest three—Annie, 41, Lily, 38, and Joe, 37—with ex-wife Cindy Silva; son Liam, 28, with former partner Bridget Rooney; and Cayden, 18, Hayes, 16, and Grace, 14, with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner.
When it comes to parenting, Costner says he prefers to lead by example. “I’d like them to see how I do my work. I take it seriously,” he said. “I was a public school kid, often at the wrong end of the bell curve. There was too much math and not enough history, and I was made to feel like a dumbbell.”
“I always thought I was a daydreamer,” he admitted. “I don’t know what advice I give them, other than I hope they can find that yellow brick road—have the courage to follow it and not let economics drive their decisions. I hope they find what they love.”
