“Kevin Costner Through the Years: A Look Back as the Oscar-Winning Actor Celebrates 70”
Kevin Costner, the iconic star of Westerns, is celebrating his 70th birthday on January 18, 2025. Known for his roles in films like Silverado, The Untouchables, and No Way Out, Costner first captured the public’s attention in the late ’80s. His career reached a defining moment with the 1990 Western epic Dances with Wolves, where he not only starred but also directed and produced. The film earned him two Academy Awards in 1991, for Best Picture and Best Director.
Costner’s deep connection to the American frontier has remained a consistent theme throughout his career. In addition to his Oscar wins, he garnered an Emmy for the 2012 Western miniseries Hatfields & McCoys and a Golden Globe for his role in the popular TV series Yellowstone.
Born Kevin Michael Costner on January 15, 1955, in Lynwood, California, he was the youngest of three boys. He grew up in nearby Compton, California, with his parents, Shannon, a welfare worker, and William, an electrician. Costner earned a degree in business from California State University, Fullerton, in 1978. It wasn’t until near the end of his college years that he decided to pursue acting. A pivotal moment came during a flight when he met legendary actor Richard Burton, who encouraged him to follow his dream.
Costner recalled asking Burton whether an actor’s personal struggles affected their career, to which Burton replied, “You have green eyes. I have green eyes. I think you’ll be fine.”
In 1991, Costner’s Dances with Wolves swept the Oscars, winning Best Picture and Best Director. During his acceptance speech, he reflected on the significance of the moment, saying, “My family will never forget what happened here… my Native American brothers and sisters will never forget. The people I went to school with will never forget.”
In 2004, Costner married handbag designer Christine Baumgartner at his 160-acre ranch in Aspen, Colorado, The Dunbar. The couple had three children together: Cayden Wyatt (born 2007), Hayes Logan (born 2009), and Grace Avery (born 2010). However, after 18 years of marriage, Baumgartner filed for divorce in May 2023. The following day, Costner requested joint custody of their children. The couple finalized their divorce in February 2024 with a statement saying they had reached a “mutually agreed-upon resolution.”
In a 2024 interview with CBS Mornings, Costner opened up about the emotional toll of the divorce. “It’s a crushing moment. It’s powerful. It hurt,” he said, adding that he was focused on moving forward for the sake of his children. “I have no choice — my children are looking at me. So I can’t wilt like a daisy.” Reflecting on the year, Costner shared that his “grateful for” list was filled with cherished moments spent with his kids. He emphasized the importance of playing with them, saying, “You teach them to be independent — and the sad part about that is they become that. I’m like any other parent: I’m trying to figure it out.”
As he marks this milestone birthday, Kevin Costner continues to embody the spirit of resilience and dedication that has defined his career and personal life.
