Kevin Costner: A Star With A Multimillion-Dollar Legacy

Kevin Costner's Financial Empire: Net Worth and Earnings

Kevin Costner, a name synonymous with Hollywood excellence, boasts a staggering net worth of $250 million. In the golden era of the 1980s and 1990s, Costner was one of the highest-paid actors in the world, starring in iconic films like "Dances with Wolves," which he both directed and starred in, and "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." His work in these films not only earned him accolades but also cemented his place in cinematic history.

Back in 1991, Kevin raked in a jaw-dropping $50 million, largely due to his backend points on "Dances with Wolves." To put that in perspective, $50 million in 1991 is equivalent to earning $110 million today. The film went on to win seven Academy Awards, including the prestigious Best Picture award. A year later, his backend points on "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" brought his payday to $40 million. In 1995, he earned a cool $14 million for his role in the blockbuster "Waterworld." Kevin's illustrious career has earned him two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, one Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Recently, he's been lauded for his role in the television series "Yellowstone," further proving his enduring talent.

Costner's Yellowstone Paycheck

As the filming for the fifth season of "Yellowstone" commenced, Kevin inked a new deal with Paramount, which significantly boosted his earnings. His per-episode salary skyrocketed to $1.2 million for what was planned as a 16-episode season split into two parts. The first part aired between November 2022 and January 2023. However, a disagreement with the show's creator/producer, Taylor Sheridan, and Paramount over filming days for the second part caused some tension. If the second part does get filmed, Kevin will have earned a total of $19.2 million for the fifth season. If a sixth season happens, his per-episode salary will increase to $1.5 million, totaling $24 million for the season.

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From Lynwood to Hollywood: Costner's Early Life and Career Beginnings

Kevin Michael Costner was born in Lynwood, California, on January 18, 1955, to Sharon Rae (née Tedrick), a welfare worker, and William Costner, an electrician turned utility executive at Southern California Edison. Costner, the youngest of three boys, lost his middle brother at birth. Raised Baptist, he grew up in Compton, California. Due to his father's career, the family moved around California frequently, especially during Kevin's teenage years.

Kevin attended Mt. Whitney High School before moving to Orange County, California, where he graduated from Villa Park High School in 1973. He continued his education at California State University, Fullerton, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing and finance in 1978. Inspired by an encounter with the legendary actor Richard Burton, Kevin decided to pursue acting. His journey to Hollywood was anything but easy—acting classes, odd jobs, auditions, and financial struggles were part of his daily life. But his persistence paid off, and by the 1980s, he was breaking into the acting world full-time.

Costner's Journey Through Film

Kevin Costner's big break came in 1987 with the film "The Untouchables," but it was "Dances with Wolves" in 1990 that truly solidified his status. Not only did he star in the film, but he also directed it, earning two Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture. Costner's first feature film, "Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.," was filmed in the winter of 1978 to 1979 but wasn't released until 1981 and re-released in 1986. Many mistakenly thought his first feature was 1983's "The Touch." In 1983, he also appeared in "Table for Five" and "Testament" and even starred in a commercial for Apple promoting the Lisa desktop computer model.

In 1985, Costner worked on several projects, including the blockbuster "Silverado." The following year, he starred in "No Way Out," a thriller that showcased his versatility. His performances in "Bull Durham" (1988) and "Field of Dreams" (1989) further secured his status as an A-list actor. Partnering with producer Jim Wilson in 1990, they formed Tig Productions, whose first project was the epic "Dances with Wolves." Costner also starred in "Revenge" that year. Following this success, Costner appeared in films like "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (1991), "JFK" (1991), "The Bodyguard" (1992), and "A Perfect World" (1993). However, not all projects were hits; films like "The War" (1994), "Waterworld" (1995), and "The Postman" (1997) received mixed reviews. Despite setbacks, Kevin continued to act, starring in films like "Tin Cup" (1996), "Message in a Bottle" (1999), "Thirteen Days" (2000), and more. In 2012, he starred in the History Channel miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys," which drew 13.9 million viewers. Since then, he's appeared in numerous films and, starting in 2018, landed his first regular television role on "Yellowstone."

Costner's Business Ventures

In June 2004, Costner opened Tatanka: The Story of the Bison, an attraction aimed at educating people about America's westward expansion. Located on U.S. Route 85, one mile south of Deadwood, South Dakota, it reflects his passion for history. Additionally, he invested in the Midnight Star Casino in Deadwood. However, firing its managers, Francis and Carla Caneva, in July 2004 led to a legal battle. A judge ordered him to pay a percentage of $6.1 million to buy them out. Kevin later requested the South Dakota Supreme Court to re-examine the ruling after an accountant valued the casino at $3.1 million.

Kevin's Personal Life: Love, Loss, and Legacy

Kevin married Cindy Silva, his college sweetheart, in 1978. Together, they had three children. After 16 years, they divorced in 1994, with Kevin paying Cindy an $80 million settlement, one of Hollywood's most expensive divorces at the time. After his divorce, Kevin dated Bridget Rooney, an heiress to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom he had a son. Bridget's nieces are actresses Kate Mara and Rooney Mara.

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Kevin also dated activist Birgit Cunningham and model/actress Elle Macpherson. In 2004, he married model and handbag designer Christine Baumgartner, with whom he has three children.

Divorce Settlements: The Price of Love

Kevin's divorce from his first wife, Cindy Silva, cost him $80 million in the mid-1990s, equivalent to $160 million today. In May 2023, Christine Baumgartner filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. Initially, she didn't request spousal support due to their prenuptial agreement. However, in mid-June 2023, Christine sought $250,000 in monthly support, not including expenses related to their children. In her filing, she claimed Kevin made $19.5 million in 2023, with the family's total expenses amounting to $6.6 million. These expenses included luxurious trips to Aspen, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, hiring chefs and caterers, and maintaining their properties, which cost around $2 million annually.

Christine's legal filing detailed their 2022 income and expenses, revealing Kevin's total income of $19,517,064. He earned $1.2 million per "Yellowstone" episode, filming eight episodes in 2022, accounting for nearly $10 million. The rest came from renting his Aspen ranch ($2.3 million) and a beachfront property in Carpinteria, California ($503,000).

Their total family expenses in 2022 were estimated at $6,645,285. Here's a breakdown:

• Aspen House Costs: $1,964,294.95
• Beach House Costs: $1,178,147.16
• Gifts: $830,504.51
• Gardener: $542,303.47
• Beach Club Costs: $288,381.24
• Household Help: $84,040.78
• Golf & Club Dues: $34,434.90
• Boat Expenses: $25,806.45
• Spa Service: $21,807.67
• Personal Trainer: $12,851.58

Total Expenses: $5,982,772.71

Christine claimed Kevin was once offered $250 million for his Aspen property, in addition to their other real estate holdings.

Costner's Real Estate Empire

Kevin Costner's real estate portfolio is nothing short of spectacular. Here's a glimpse:

Aspen, Colorado:

The Costners own a stunning 160-acre property in Aspen, featuring three lakefront homes that can accommodate up to 30 guests. Acquired in three transactions, the final parcel was purchased in 2017 for $7.3 million. This property is rented out at $30,000 per night.

Carpinteria, California:

Between Malibu and Santa Barbara lies Carpinteria, where the Costners have built an incredible estate from three side-by-side properties. They started with the first property in the 1980s, added the second a decade later, and completed the trio in 2017 with a $7.3 million purchase. Previously, they owned a 7-acre property sold in 2009 for $25 million.

In 2006, they paid $28.5 million for a 17-acre undeveloped plot overlooking the ocean. They also own a 10-acre property in Carpinteria, which they attempted to sell for $60 million in 2017, later reducing the price to $49 million but ultimately taking it off the market. Here's a video tour of this breathtaking property: