See Kevin Costner's Life in Photos as the Oscar-Winning Actor Turns 70

Mar. 15, 2025

Kevin Costner in May 2024.Photo:Neilson Barnard/Getty

Neilson Barnard/Getty

Kevin Costner, the king of the Western, is turning 70.The actor, who celebrates his birthday on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, rose to fame in the late ’80s with a string of acclaimedfilmslikeSilverado,The UntouchablesandNo Way Out. For the 1990 Western epicDances with Wolves —in which Costner directed, produced and starred — he took home twoOscarsat the 1991 Academy Awards.He has retained his love for the American frontier throughout his career, winning anEmmyfor the Western miniseriesHatfields & McCoysand aGolden Globefor the hit showYellowstone.“I’ve had an incredibly unusual, and for the most part, beautiful life,” he told PEOPLE in 2024 asNo. 1 on the list of 100 Reasons to Love America.See Costner’s life in photos, from an aspiring actor out of college to a true movie star and loving father of seven.

Kevin Costner, the king of the Western, is turning 70.

The actor, who celebrates his birthday on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, rose to fame in the late ’80s with a string of acclaimedfilmslikeSilverado,The UntouchablesandNo Way Out. For the 1990 Western epicDances with Wolves —in which Costner directed, produced and starred — he took home twoOscarsat the 1991 Academy Awards.

He has retained his love for the American frontier throughout his career, winning anEmmyfor the Western miniseriesHatfields & McCoysand aGolden Globefor the hit showYellowstone.

“I’ve had an incredibly unusual, and for the most part, beautiful life,” he told PEOPLE in 2024 asNo. 1 on the list of 100 Reasons to Love America.

See Costner’s life in photos, from an aspiring actor out of college to a true movie star and loving father of seven.

01of 10

Kevin Costner’s Childhood

Kevin Costner in high school.Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty

Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty

He became interested in acting near the end of his college career, and an encounter with screen starRichard Burtonon the plane encouraged him to pursue it full-time. Speaking to film criticRoger Ebertin 2012, Costner recounted how he approached Burton to ask a few questions.

“I told him, ‘I was hoping to become an actor, and, well, you’re a celebrated actor, but you’re a brawler, you’ve had a lot of marriages, a lot of things … I just want to know, does that kind of life follow an actor? I want to have a life that’s not filled with drama.’ “ he recalled.

Costner continued, “And Burton looked at me and he said, ‘You have green eyes. I have green eyes.’ And he goes, ‘I think you’ll be fine.’ “

02of 10Kevin Costner’s First MovieKevin Costner on the set of ‘Malibu Hot Summer’.Photo 12 / AlamyHis film debut came in 1981 with indie movieSizzle Beach, U.S.A.— also known asMalibu Hot Summer— as young stable owner John Logan.For his 69th birthday, Costner shared athrowback photofrom set with the caption, “Celebrating another year of life today and taking a moment to honor this kid who had big dreams. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come.”

02of 10

Kevin Costner’s First Movie

Kevin Costner on the set of ‘Malibu Hot Summer’.Photo 12 / Alamy

Photo 12 / Alamy

His film debut came in 1981 with indie movieSizzle Beach, U.S.A.— also known asMalibu Hot Summer— as young stable owner John Logan.For his 69th birthday, Costner shared athrowback photofrom set with the caption, “Celebrating another year of life today and taking a moment to honor this kid who had big dreams. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come.”

03of 10Kevin Costner’s BreakthroughKevin Costner as Eliot Ness in ‘The Untouchables’.Paramount/Kobal/ShutterstockHis breakout role came in 1985 with the Western movieSilveradooppositeKevin Klineand Danny Glover. But he became a bona fide movie star following his portrayal of federal agent Eliot Ness in 1987’sThe Untouchablesand Navy Lt. Cmdr. Tom Farrell inNo Way Out. He also starred in two successful baseball-themed movies, 1988’sBull Durhamand 1989’sField of Dreams.Even as his star rose, Costner maintained a complicated relationship with fame, tellingTimein 1989, “I didn’t set out to be a star. If you do, you engage in manipulation. You do stuff to be liked. I didn’t want to be endorsed; I wanted to be listened to. I had ideas about things.”

03of 10

Kevin Costner’s Breakthrough

Kevin Costner as Eliot Ness in ‘The Untouchables’.Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

His breakout role came in 1985 with the Western movieSilveradooppositeKevin Klineand Danny Glover. But he became a bona fide movie star following his portrayal of federal agent Eliot Ness in 1987’sThe Untouchablesand Navy Lt. Cmdr. Tom Farrell inNo Way Out. He also starred in two successful baseball-themed movies, 1988’sBull Durhamand 1989’sField of Dreams.

Even as his star rose, Costner maintained a complicated relationship with fame, tellingTimein 1989, “I didn’t set out to be a star. If you do, you engage in manipulation. You do stuff to be liked. I didn’t want to be endorsed; I wanted to be listened to. I had ideas about things.”

04of 10Kevin Costner’s Marriage to Cindy SilvaKevin Costner and Cindy Silva.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesCostner began dating Cindy Silva in 1975, while the pair were in college, and they wed three years later. The two had three children together, Annie, born in 1984, Lily, born in 1986, and Joe, born in 1988.In 1989, the movie star told PEOPLE of his first date with Silva, saying, “She was beautiful. She was sweet. She was smarter than me … she represented everything about women that I like.”The couple split after 16 years of marriage in 1994, and the resulting divorce reportedly ended in an$80 million settlementfor Silva. Friends and sources told PEOPLE at the time that although Silva was excited for Costner’s Hollywood ascendance, their relationship became more difficult due to his increasingly demanding schedule.A longtime friend said, “I think their relationship as individuals will be okay. They have a common love, their kids, who are the most important thing to both of them. I don’t think they’ll have one of those cutthroat relationships. It’s just sad, because they were the perfect couple.“Reflecting on the divorce in 2012, Costner toldThe Hollywood Reporterhis “faith was shaken” and “no one wants their marriage to end.”

04of 10

Kevin Costner’s Marriage to Cindy Silva

Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Costner began dating Cindy Silva in 1975, while the pair were in college, and they wed three years later. The two had three children together, Annie, born in 1984, Lily, born in 1986, and Joe, born in 1988.

In 1989, the movie star told PEOPLE of his first date with Silva, saying, “She was beautiful. She was sweet. She was smarter than me … she represented everything about women that I like.”

The couple split after 16 years of marriage in 1994, and the resulting divorce reportedly ended in an$80 million settlementfor Silva. Friends and sources told PEOPLE at the time that although Silva was excited for Costner’s Hollywood ascendance, their relationship became more difficult due to his increasingly demanding schedule.

A longtime friend said, “I think their relationship as individuals will be okay. They have a common love, their kids, who are the most important thing to both of them. I don’t think they’ll have one of those cutthroat relationships. It’s just sad, because they were the perfect couple.”

Reflecting on the divorce in 2012, Costner toldThe Hollywood Reporterhis “faith was shaken” and “no one wants their marriage to end.”

05of 10Kevin Costner Wins 2 OscarsKevin Costner wins Best Picture and Best Director at the 1991 Academy Awards.Barry King/WireImageIn 1991, Costner took home two Academy Awards forDances with Wolves, winning Best Picture and Best Director. In hisBest Picture speechwith co-producer Jim Wilson, he began, “It’s very easy for people to trivialize what we do sometimes, and they do it in ways of saying, ‘Well, if it’s such a big deal, how come nobody remembers who last year won the Oscar?’ ““I will never forget what happened here tonight. My family will never forget what happened here,” he said. “My Native American brothers and sisters across the country, especially the Lakota Sioux, will never forget. The people I went to school with will never forget.”

05of 10

Kevin Costner Wins 2 Oscars

Kevin Costner wins Best Picture and Best Director at the 1991 Academy Awards.Barry King/WireImage

Barry King/WireImage

In 1991, Costner took home two Academy Awards forDances with Wolves, winning Best Picture and Best Director. In hisBest Picture speechwith co-producer Jim Wilson, he began, “It’s very easy for people to trivialize what we do sometimes, and they do it in ways of saying, ‘Well, if it’s such a big deal, how come nobody remembers who last year won the Oscar?’ “

“I will never forget what happened here tonight. My family will never forget what happened here,” he said. “My Native American brothers and sisters across the country, especially the Lakota Sioux, will never forget. The people I went to school with will never forget.”

06of 10

Kevin Costner & Modern West

Kevin Costner performs with his band Modern West in September 2024.Scott Dudelson/Getty

Scott Dudelson/Getty

“I’m a storyteller,” Costner toldNews10 ABC. “I’ll do a four-minute song or I’ll do a three-hour movie, or a miniseries. I like telling stories, and music is probably the richest way to actually communicate with people, for me, because it’s so personal.”

07of 10Kevin Costner’s Marriage to Christine BaumgartnerChristine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner in April 2022.Lester Cohen/GettyCostnermarriedhandbag designerChristine Baumgartnerin 2004 at the actor’s 160-acre ranch in Aspen, Colorado, The Dunbar. The couple shares three children: Cayden Wyatt, born in 2007, Hayes Logan, born in 2009, and Grace Avery, born in 2010.After 18 years of marriage, Baumgartnerfiled for divorcefrom Costner on May 1, 2023. A representative for Costner told PEOPLE, “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action.”The next day, Costner filed a response requesting joint custody of their three children. They eventuallyfinalized their divorcein February 2024, with a rep for Costner saying in a joint statement that the two “have come to an amicable and mutually agreed upon resolution.”“That’s acrushing moment. It’s powerful. It hurt,” he said of the divorce onCBS Morningsin 2024. “But I go forward. I have no choice — my children are looking at me. So I can’t wilt like a daisy.”

07of 10

Kevin Costner’s Marriage to Christine Baumgartner

Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner in April 2022.Lester Cohen/Getty

Lester Cohen/Getty

Costnermarriedhandbag designerChristine Baumgartnerin 2004 at the actor’s 160-acre ranch in Aspen, Colorado, The Dunbar. The couple shares three children: Cayden Wyatt, born in 2007, Hayes Logan, born in 2009, and Grace Avery, born in 2010.

After 18 years of marriage, Baumgartnerfiled for divorcefrom Costner on May 1, 2023. A representative for Costner told PEOPLE, “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action.”

The next day, Costner filed a response requesting joint custody of their three children. They eventuallyfinalized their divorcein February 2024, with a rep for Costner saying in a joint statement that the two “have come to an amicable and mutually agreed upon resolution.”

“That’s acrushing moment. It’s powerful. It hurt,” he said of the divorce onCBS Morningsin 2024. “But I go forward. I have no choice — my children are looking at me. So I can’t wilt like a daisy.”

08of 10

Kevin Costner Wins an Emmy

Kevin Costner wins an Emmy in September 2012.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

For his performance as Devil Anse Hatfield in the 2012 Western miniseriesHatfields & McCoys, Costner won outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie at the Emmys.

Costner concluded, “I’ve loved being an actor. I’ve loved this life. It’s changed my life. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have it.”

09of 10’Yellowstone’Kevin Costner as John Dutton in ‘Yellowstone’.Paramount +He led the hit Paramount Network dramaYellowstoneas family patriarch John Dutton from 2018 to 2024, winning his thirdGolden Globein 2023 for the performance. However, before the fifth season, rumors arose that Costner wasleaving the showto focus on filming his multi-part Western film seriesHorizon: An American Saga.When creatorTaylor Sheridanand Costner could not reach an agreement, Paramount announced the series wouldend after season 5, which was split into two parts. Costner did not return forpart 2.“The scripts weren’t there,” heexplained to PEOPLEin June 2024. “There was a moment where that show for me stopped for 14 months. … That’s the fact. I could have done a lot of things in that time, but I wasn’t aware that that [hold-up] was going to happen.”

09of 10

‘Yellowstone’

Kevin Costner as John Dutton in ‘Yellowstone’.Paramount +

Paramount +

He led the hit Paramount Network dramaYellowstoneas family patriarch John Dutton from 2018 to 2024, winning his thirdGolden Globein 2023 for the performance. However, before the fifth season, rumors arose that Costner wasleaving the showto focus on filming his multi-part Western film seriesHorizon: An American Saga.

When creatorTaylor Sheridanand Costner could not reach an agreement, Paramount announced the series wouldend after season 5, which was split into two parts. Costner did not return forpart 2.

“The scripts weren’t there,” heexplained to PEOPLEin June 2024. “There was a moment where that show for me stopped for 14 months. … That’s the fact. I could have done a lot of things in that time, but I wasn’t aware that that [hold-up] was going to happen.”

10of 10Kevin Costner as a Dad of 7Lily, Joe, Grace, Kevin, Hayes, Annie and Cayden Costner in 2023.Courtesy Kevin CostnerCostner is the father of seven children — three with Silva, three with Baumgartner and one with his ex-girlfriend Bridget Rooney. Although it’s rare to see all seven together, five of his childrensupported their dadat the premiere of his Western epicHorizonin June 2024. Later that year, sixjoined him for a beach dayon Thanksgiving, and the actor shared a sweet photo of the group onInstagram.“At the top of my ‘grateful for’ list are the many really, really special memories I’ve gotten to make with my kids this year,” he captioned the post.In November 2022, hetold PEOPLEthat being a father is one of his greatest joys.“You’ve got to get down on the ground and play with them,” theMolly’s Gameactor said. “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.”

10of 10

Kevin Costner as a Dad of 7

Lily, Joe, Grace, Kevin, Hayes, Annie and Cayden Costner in 2023.Courtesy Kevin Costner

Courtesy Kevin Costner

Costner is the father of seven children — three with Silva, three with Baumgartner and one with his ex-girlfriend Bridget Rooney. Although it’s rare to see all seven together, five of his childrensupported their dadat the premiere of his Western epicHorizonin June 2024. Later that year, sixjoined him for a beach dayon Thanksgiving, and the actor shared a sweet photo of the group onInstagram.

“At the top of my ‘grateful for’ list are the many really, really special memories I’ve gotten to make with my kids this year,” he captioned the post.

In November 2022, hetold PEOPLEthat being a father is one of his greatest joys.

“You’ve got to get down on the ground and play with them,” theMolly’s Gameactor said. “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.”

source: people.com