Kevin Costner, the Oscar-winning actor and director, has been a Hollywood mainstay since the 1980s. While he’s recently been in the news for personal reasons, his extensive career is what truly sets him apart. With a collection of Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and an Emmy, Costner has proven his versatility across genres and decades.
“Along with his Academy Awards, Costner has also bagged a trio of Golden Globes and an Emmy.”
The Bodyguard: A Love Story with a Soundtrack to Match
One of Costner’s most iconic roles was in the 1992 blockbuster, “The Bodyguard,” where he played Frank Farmer, a security detail assigned to protect pop star Rachel Marron, portrayed by the late Whitney Houston. The film was not just a hit in terms of its dramatic love story but also its soundtrack, which became an instant classic.
“The Bodyguard not only told a dramatic love story but featured a hit soundtrack to match with the blockbuster movie drawing in an estimated £335million ($411million) at the box office.”
Interestingly, Costner had plans to make a sequel featuring Princess Diana before her untimely death.
Yellowstone: A Modern Epic
Fast forward to 2018, and we find Costner in a role that has introduced him to a new generation of fans. In “Yellowstone,” a neo-western series by Taylor Sheridan, Costner plays John Dutton, a ruthless ranch owner determined to keep his land at any cost.
“In the Paramount Plus series, Costner plays a ruthless ranch owner and patriarch John Dutton who will do anything he can to keep hold of his lands.”
A Look Back at the Classics
Dances with Wolves
Costner’s directorial debut, “Dances with Wolves,” was a frontier drama that earned him seven Oscars, including Best Picture. The film holds an 87 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and showcased Costner’s talents both in front of and behind the camera.
The Untouchables
In 1987, Costner broke out as a rising star in “The Untouchables,” where he played federal agent Eliot Ness, tasked with taking down gangster Al Capone. The film was a fictionalized account but drew heavily from real-life events.
Field of Dreams
Another standout role was in the fantasy drama “Field of Dreams,” where Costner played a farmer who builds a baseball pitch that attracts legendary players from the past. The film received three Oscar nominations and featured a star-studded cast including Ray Liotta and James Earl Jones.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Costner’s take on the legendary Robin Hood was a commercial success, despite his American accent. The film also starred Morgan Freeman and Alan Rickman and was soundtracked by Bryan Adams’ classic ballad, “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You.”
JFK
In “JFK,” Costner delved into the political thriller genre, portraying Jim Garrison, a district attorney investigating the assassination of President Kennedy. The film explored various conspiracy theories surrounding the event.
Mr. Brooks
In a departure from his heroic roles, Costner played a sinister serial killer in the dark thriller “Mr. Brooks,” proving his range as an actor.
The Legacy Continues
As “The Bodyguard Musical” embarks on its UK tour, it’s clear that Costner’s influence in Hollywood is far from over. Whether it’s a love story, a western, or a political thriller, Kevin Costner has shown that he can do it all, and do it exceptionally well.
