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As a legend of the acting world, Kevin Costner has seen more famous flops in his career than successes. For every win (Oscar-winningDances With Wolves), there were two critical box office bombs (WaterworldandWyatt Earp). And yet, the Western actor managed to exceed expectations and live out his legacy when Taylor Sheridan resurrected him inYellowstone.
For actors like Costner, however, notoriety comes faster than fame as seen in the case of the highly contentious filming ofWaterworld,Wyatt Earp, andHorizon: The American Saga. Costner’s blind faith in Westerns overcomes his ability to take the practicality of a film into account. This habit of his has often caused theYellowstonestar to face scrutiny and backlash in the public eye.
Despite everything, Kevin Costner has left an indelible mark in Hollywood in a pursuit that was only made possible due to a chance meeting with the late great acting legend – Richard Burton.
Richard Burton’s Influence on Kevin Costner
Richard Burton, one of the most renowned actors of the 20th century, had a screen presence like none other. Famous for his volatile relationship with actress Elizabeth Taylor, Burton’s rise to the peak of greatness was only impeded by his socially contentious habits and personal controversy.
However, theCleopatraactor did leave behind a legacy beyond his acting career viaKevin Costner. While Costner was always destined for great things, the actor needed just a little push at a formative moment in his life. On the way back from his honeymoon, he found just the right person who would set him on the path to greatness.
As fate would have it, Costner had a chance encounter with Richard Burton on a flight which would lead to a pivotal conversation between the two. Working as a marketing exec at the time, Kevin Costner expressed his desire to pursue a more creative career path in acting. But given the struggle required to make it in the business, Costner asked for some advice from the acting legend.
“They had many private conversations”: Only ‘Yellowstone’ Star Who Supported Kevin Costner Amid His Feud With Taylor Sheridan – Report
In an interview, Costner toldYahoo! Entertainment:
I desperately wanted to talk to him. The conversation never really expanded other than there was a gentleness and a kindness and looking at me saying, ‘I think you should try this.’
The simple nudge in the right direction gave Costner the momentum he needed to leave his sedentary life behind a desk and head for the glamorous hills of Hollywood.
Kevin Costner Rises from Scratch to the Top
After spending the requisite amount of years as a struggling, aspiring actor, Kevin Costner finally found a way in through small indie films and uncredited roles. But one of his auditions hit the mark when esteemed director Lawrence Kasdan noticed the actor’s potential and cast him in the 1985 film,Silverado.
The Western not only became a breakthrough for Kevin Costner but also accelerated his career arc from supporting roles to leading ones. Soon after, he began headlining such films asThe UntouchablesandNo Way Out. Both films established Costner as a formidable talent in the industry with a fast access path to A-lister status.
Kevin Costner and Taylor Sheridan May Not Be Buddies Anymore but 1 Yellowstone Star Still Hasn’t Let All the Drama Affect Her Friendship With Costner
Kevin Costner divided his filmography into sports dramas (Bull Durham,Field of Dreams,For the Love of the Game) and Westerns (Wyatt EarpandDances With Wolves). The latter turned Costner into a Hollywood icon when his directorial debut earned him 14 Oscar nominations and 7 wins, including Best Director over legends like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola.
A few rough calls like choosingWaterworldandWyatt EarpoverThe Shawshank RedemptionandTombstonemade a dent in his otherwise stellar record. However, Kevin Costner had already risen to the peak of Hollywood by then with 2 Oscars to his name and a net worth of approximately $250 to $400 million [viaCelebrity Net Worth].
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2408
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
