7 Shocking Facts About Kevin Costner's Life At 70: From Yellowstone Exit To A Self-Financed Saga

Kevin Costner, the quintessential American actor and filmmaker, officially turned 70 years old on January 18, 2025, an age that marks a dramatic new chapter in his legendary career. While many know him as the stoic patriarch John Dutton from the hit series Yellowstone, his life in the mid-2020s has been a whirlwind of professional ambition, personal upheaval, and a massive, self-funded gamble on his passion for the Western genre.

The question of "how old is Kevin Costner" is more than a simple number; it’s the key to understanding the urgency and scale of his current projects. As of this current date in December 2025, Costner is 70, and rather than slowing down, he has plunged headfirst into his most ambitious project yet, all while navigating a highly public divorce and the controversial exit from television’s biggest show. This is the definitive, up-to-date look at the life and career of a Hollywood icon at seven decades.

Kevin Costner: A Complete Biography and Profile

Kevin Michael Costner has cemented his legacy as one of Hollywood's most enduring stars, particularly celebrated for his work in Westerns and dramatic roles. His career is defined by major critical and commercial successes, often involving him taking on the dual role of actor and director/producer.

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• Full Name: Kevin Michael Costner
• Date of Birth: January 18, 1955
• Current Age (December 2025): 70 years old
• Place of Birth: Lynwood, California, USA
• Nationality: American
• Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
• Spouses: Cindy Silva (m. 1978; div. 1994), Christine Baumgartner (m. 2004; div. 2024)
• Children: 7 (Annie, Lily, Joe, Liam, Cayden, Hayes, Grace)
• Major Awards: Two Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director for Dances with Wolves), Two Golden Globe Awards, One Primetime Emmy Award, Two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
• Notable Filmography: The Untouchables (1987), Bull Durham (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), Dances with Wolves (1990), JFK (1991), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), The Bodyguard (1992), Waterworld (1995), Hidden Figures (2016), Yellowstone (2018–2024).

The Early Years and Rise to Stardom

Born in Lynwood, California, Costner's early life was marked by frequent family moves due to his father’s job as an electrician. He graduated with a B.A. in marketing and finance from California State University, Fullerton, but his true passion was acting. A chance encounter with actor Richard Burton on a flight convinced him to pursue his dream full-time.

His breakthrough came in the late 1980s with a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, including the baseball classics Bull Durham and Field of Dreams.

The Epic Gamble of Horizon: An American Saga

The most compelling story of Kevin Costner’s 70th year is his commitment to the multi-part Western film series, Horizon: An American Saga. This project is not just a film; it is a monumental four-chapter epic that has consumed his time, focus, and, most notably, his personal fortune.

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Financing a Dream with Personal Wealth

Costner has reportedly invested over $38 million of his own money into the production of Horizon, an unprecedented move for an actor of his stature. This personal financial commitment underscores the depth of his passion for the Western genre and his vision for telling the sweeping story of the American West. The decision to self-finance was a major point of contention during his recent divorce proceedings, as the financial strain became a public matter.

The first two chapters of the saga, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, saw their theatrical releases in the summer of 2024. The initial reviews were mixed, but the sheer ambition of the project—which Costner directs, co-writes, produces, and stars in—has kept it at the forefront of Hollywood discussions. He has confirmed plans to move forward with the remaining two films, solidifying Horizon as his primary focus for the foreseeable future.

The Real Story Behind the Yellowstone Exit

Costner’s departure from the wildly popular Paramount Network series Yellowstone, where he played the central character John Dutton, remains one of the biggest television stories of the mid-2020s. His exit was not amicable and was directly tied to the making of his passion project, Horizon.

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Scheduling Conflicts and Financial Disputes

The primary reason for the split was a grueling scheduling conflict. As the production of Horizon intensified, Costner was unable to commit the necessary time to film the final season of Yellowstone. During a 2023 court hearing related to his divorce from Christine Baumgartner, Costner publicly revealed that he "couldn't help them any more" with the filming schedule, which had become too demanding.

Furthermore, reports indicate the dispute also involved financial negotiations. Costner was reportedly offered less money for the final season than he had received previously, leading to a "long, hard-fought negotiation" that ultimately failed. He even suggested in court that he might sue over the circumstances of his exit, highlighting the acrimony surrounding the end of his tenure as John Dutton. The narrative surrounding his departure—a star prioritizing his personal artistic vision over a massive commercial hit—only adds to his maverick reputation.

Personal Life and Recent Challenges at Age 70

The period surrounding Costner’s 70th birthday has been marked by significant personal turmoil, most notably the end of his nearly 20-year marriage to Christine Baumgartner. The divorce proceedings, which began in 2023 and concluded in 2024, were highly publicized, focusing on issues of child support, spousal support, and the logistics of separating their shared properties.

The High-Profile Divorce and Moving On

Christine Baumgartner, a model and handbag designer, filed for divorce in May 2023, citing irreconcilable differences. The proceedings were often dramatic, with both sides making public statements and revealing details about their private lives in court. The divorce was finalized, marking the end of a long-term relationship that produced three of his seven children: Cayden, Hayes, and Grace.

However, as of late 2025, Costner appears to be moving forward. He has been reportedly linked to a new girlfriend, financier Josh Connor's ex-wife, a new relationship that has generated significant media buzz. This new romance, coupled with the finalization of his divorce, signals a fresh start in his personal life as he enters his eighth decade.

A Legacy Defined by Westerns and Accolades

Costner’s career will forever be synonymous with the Western genre, a love affair that peaked with Dances with Wolves (1990). The film, which he directed and starred in, was a monumental success, earning him two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.

Beyond the Western, his filmography is a testament to his versatility. He has starred in iconic roles in political thrillers like JFK, romantic dramas such as The Bodyguard, and historical biopics like Hidden Figures, for which he and the cast won a Screen Actors Guild Award. His longevity and continued relevance, even at 70, are further highlighted by his upcoming recognition—he is set to receive the Eva Monley Award at the LMGI Awards Gala in August 2025, honoring his outstanding contributions to the film industry.

In conclusion, Kevin Costner’s age of 70 is not a milestone of retirement, but one of reinvention. He has traded the guaranteed success of Yellowstone for the artistic risk of Horizon: An American Saga, proving that the cowboy spirit of his most famous characters is alive and well in his real life. He remains a powerful, compelling figure in Hollywood, with his most dramatic chapters perhaps still being written.