Career Timeline of Kevin Costner: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Kevin Costner built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kevin Costner is a celebrated American actor and filmmaker recognized for his contributions to the film industry. He has garnered numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award, highlighting his success and influence in entertainment.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1978: Filming of Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.

In the winter of 1978-79, Kevin Costner filmed 'Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.'

1981: Film Debut in Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.

In 1981, Kevin Costner made his film debut in 'Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.'

1982: Minor role in Night Shift

In 1982, Kevin Costner played a minor role as "Frat Boy #1" in the Ron Howard film Night Shift.

1983: Appeared in Apple Lisa Commercial and Table for Five and had a small role in Testament.

In 1983, Kevin Costner appeared in a commercial for the Apple Lisa and Table for Five, and had a small role in the nuclear holocaust film Testament.

1983: Starred in Stacy's Knights

In 1983, Kevin Costner starred in 'Stacy's Knights'.

1985: Breakout Role in Silverado

In 1985, Kevin Costner had a breakout role in 'Silverado'.

1986: Re-release of Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.

In 1986, 'Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.' was re-released.

1987: Achieved Movie Star Status

In 1987, Kevin Costner achieved movie star status after starring in 'The Untouchables' and 'No Way Out'.

1987: Starred in No Way Out

In 1987, Kevin Costner starred in 'No Way Out'.

1987: Starred in The Untouchables

In 1987, Kevin Costner starred in 'The Untouchables', marking an early rise to prominence in his acting career.

1988: Starred in Bull Durham

In 1988, Kevin Costner continued his A-list status by starring in 'Bull Durham'.

1989: Starred in Field of Dreams

In 1989, Kevin Costner solidified his A-list status starring in 'Field of Dreams'.

1990: Directed and Starred in Dances with Wolves

In 1990, Kevin Costner directed and starred in 'Dances with Wolves', winning two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.

1990: Formed Tig Productions and Released Dances with Wolves

In 1990, Kevin Costner partnered with Jim Wilson to form Tig Productions and released 'Dances with Wolves', which won seven Academy Awards.

1991: Midnight Star Casino Opens

In 1991, Kevin Costner opened the Midnight Star Casino and Restaurant in Deadwood, S.D.

1991: Starred in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and JFK

In 1991, Kevin Costner portrayed Robin Hood in 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and starred as District Attorney Jim Garrison in 'JFK', earning a Golden Globe nomination for the latter.

1991: Starred in JFK and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

In 1991, Kevin Costner starred in 'JFK' and 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'.

1992: Starred in The Bodyguard

In 1992, Kevin Costner starred in 'The Bodyguard'.

1993: Starred in A Perfect World

In 1993, Kevin Costner starred as a criminal on the run in Clint Eastwood's drama 'A Perfect World'.

1994: Starred in and Co-produced Wyatt Earp

In 1994, Kevin Costner starred in and co-produced 'Wyatt Earp'.

1994: Starred in Wyatt Earp

In 1994, Kevin Costner took the title role in the western biopic 'Wyatt Earp', and starred in the drama film 'The War'.

1995: Costner Buys Oil Separation Machine Company

In 1995, Kevin Costner bought a company developing oil separation machines based on a patent purchased from the US government.

1995: Starred in and Co-produced Waterworld

In 1995, Kevin Costner starred in and co-produced 'Waterworld'.

1995: Starred in Waterworld

In 1995, Kevin Costner starred in the science fiction epic 'Waterworld'.

1996: Starred in Tin Cup

In 1996, Kevin Costner starred in 'Tin Cup'.

1997: Directed The Postman

In 1997, Kevin Costner directed 'The Postman'.

1997: Directed and starred in The Postman

In 1997, Kevin Costner directed and starred in 'The Postman', which received negative reviews and won five Golden Raspberry Awards.

1999: Starred in Message in a Bottle and For Love of the Game

In 1999, Kevin Costner starred in 'Message in a Bottle' and 'For Love of the Game'.

1999: Starred in Message in a Bottle

In 1999, Kevin Costner starred in 'Message in a Bottle'.

2000: Starred in Thirteen Days

In 2000, Kevin Costner starred in 'Thirteen Days', which revived his career somewhat.

2003: Directed Open Range

In 2003, Kevin Costner directed 'Open Range'.

2003: Directed and Starred in Open Range

In 2003, Kevin Costner directed and starred in 'Open Range', receiving critical acclaim.

June 6, 2004: Tatanka: The Story of the Bison Opens

On June 6, 2004, Kevin Costner opened Tatanka: The Story of the Bison near Deadwood, South Dakota, aiming to educate about America's westward expansion with interactive exhibits and a bronze sculpture of a buffalo jump.

2005: Starred in The Upside of Anger

In 2005, Kevin Costner played supporting role in 'The Upside of Anger'.

2005: Starred in Rumour Has It

In 2005, Kevin Costner starred opposite Jennifer Aniston in the movie Rumour Has It.

October 2007: Kevin Costner & Modern West Worldwide Tour

In October 2007, Kevin Costner's band, Kevin Costner & Modern West, embarked on a worldwide tour, which included shows in Istanbul and Rome. The band also performed at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races during October 2007.

2007: Starred in Mr. Brooks

In 2007, Kevin Costner starred in 'Mr. Brooks'.

November 11, 2008: Release of "Untold Truths" album

On November 11, 2008, Kevin Costner & Modern West released their country album, "Untold Truths", on Universal South Records. The album reached No. 61 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

2008: Starred in Swing Vote

In 2008, Kevin Costner starred in 'Swing Vote'.

2008: Tig Productions Closed

In 2008, Kevin Costner's Tig Productions company closed and was changed to Tree House Films.

2009: Tour and Big Valley Jamboree Incident

In 2009, Kevin Costner and Modern West toured with The Alternate Routes. In August 2009, at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alberta, a severe thunderstorm caused a stage collapse, resulting in one death and forty injuries. A dinner with Costner was auctioned off for $41,000 to raise money for the victim's sons.

February 2010: "Turn It On" Album Release and European Tour

In February 2010, Kevin Costner and Modern West released their second album, "Turn It On", in Europe, and supported it with a European tour.

2010: Starred in The Company Men

In 2010, Kevin Costner appeared in 'The Company Men'.

January 2011: The Company Men Released

In January 2011, the movie 'The Company Men', in which Kevin Costner starred, was released in cinemas worldwide.

2011: Announced Directorial Return

In 2011, Kevin Costner announced his return to directing with 'A Little War of Our Own'.

2011: Radio Spots for National World War I Museum

In Spring 2011, Kevin Costner recorded two radio spots for the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, which were aired on the Kansas City Royals Radio Network.

May 28, 2012: Hatfields & McCoys Premiered

On May 28, 2012, 'Hatfields & McCoys' premiered on the History Channel, starring Kevin Costner as Devil Anse Hatfield.

July 2012: Telus World Skins Game Performance

In July 2012, Kevin Costner and Modern West performed at the 20th annual Telus World Skins Game in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to support the IWK Health Centre Foundation, and donated an autographed guitar.

2012: Portrayed Devil Anse Hatfield in Hatfields & McCoys

In 2012, Kevin Costner portrayed Devil Anse Hatfield in the miniseries 'Hatfields & McCoys', winning a Primetime Emmy Award.

2013: Starred in Man of Steel

In 2013, Kevin Costner played supporting role in 'Man of Steel'.

2014: Starred in Multiple Films

In 2014, Kevin Costner appeared in 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit', '3 Days to Kill', 'Draft Day', and 'Black or White'.

2014: Starred in 3 Days to Kill, Draft Day and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

In 2014, Kevin Costner starred in '3 Days to Kill', 'Draft Day', and 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit', and 'Black or White'.

2015: Co-Authors "The Explorer's Guild"

In 2015, Kevin Costner co-authored "The Explorer's Guild: A Passage to Shambhala", a hybrid adventure novel and graphic novel.

2015: Starred in McFarland, USA

In 2015, Kevin Costner played coach Jim White in the drama film McFarland, USA.

2016: Starred in Hidden Figures

In 2016, Kevin Costner played Al Harrison in Hidden Figures.

2017: Starred in Molly's Game

In 2017, Kevin Costner played supporting role in 'Molly's Game'.

2018: Portrayed John Dutton on Yellowstone

In 2018, Kevin Costner began portraying rancher John Dutton on the Paramount Network drama series 'Yellowstone'.

2018: Starred in Yellowstone

Since 2018, Kevin Costner has starred in and produced the television series Yellowstone.

2019: Starred in The Art of Racing in the Rain

In 2019, Kevin Costner starred in 'The Art of Racing in the Rain', where he voiced Enzo the dog.

2019: Starred in The Highwaymen

In 2019, Kevin Costner starred in 'The Highwaymen'.

2020: Joins HearHere App

In 2020, Kevin Costner joined Woody Sears's HearHere, a travel app, as a co-founder, podcast narrator, and investor, providing audio stories for travelers.