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 an acclaimed American actor and filmmaker recognized with numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. He is known for his work in front of and behind the camera, having directed and starred in critically successful films.
1978: Meeting Richard Burton
In 1978, Kevin Costner had a chance encounter with actor Richard Burton, who encouraged him to pursue acting.
1981: Film Debut in Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.
In 1981, Kevin Costner made his film debut in 'Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.'.
1982: Role in Night Shift
In 1982, Kevin Costner played a minor role as "Frat Boy #1" in the film 'Night Shift'.
1983: Commercial Appearance and Small Role
In 1983, Kevin Costner appeared in a commercial for the Apple Lisa, and also had a small role in the film 'Testament'. Additionally, he filmed scenes for 'The Big Chill' that were ultimately cut.
1983: Starring in Stacy's Knights
In 1983, Kevin Costner starred in 'Stacy's Knights'.
1985: Silverado and Other Roles
In 1985, Kevin Costner starred in 'Silverado', 'Fandango', and 'American Flyers', and appeared in an episode of 'Amazing Stories'.
1987: Movie Star Status
In 1987, Kevin Costner achieved movie star status by starring in The Untouchables and No Way Out.
1987: The Untouchables Release
In 1987, Kevin Costner rose to prominence, starring in 'The Untouchables'.
1988: Starring in Bull Durham
In 1988, Kevin Costner solidified his A-list status in the baseball-themed film 'Bull Durham'.
1988: Bull Durham Release
In 1988, Kevin Costner starred in 'Bull Durham', further establishing his career.
1989: Starring in Field of Dreams
In 1989, Kevin Costner solidified his A-list status in the baseball-themed film 'Field of Dreams'.
1990: Dances With Wolves Release and Awards
In 1990, Kevin Costner directed and starred in 'Dances With Wolves', for which he won two Academy Awards: Best Picture and Best Director.
1990: Formation of Tig Productions and Dances With Wolves
In 1990, Kevin Costner partnered with Jim Wilson to form Tig Productions, and released 'Dances With Wolves', which won him two Academy Awards.
1991: JFK and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Releases
In 1991, Kevin Costner starred in 'JFK' and 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'.
1991: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and JFK Releases
In 1991, Kevin Costner starred in 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and 'JFK'.
1992: The Bodyguard Release
In 1992, Kevin Costner starred in 'The Bodyguard'.
1993: A Perfect World Release
In 1993, Kevin Costner starred as a criminal on the run in Clint Eastwood's drama, 'A Perfect World'.
1994: Wyatt Earp Release
In 1994, Kevin Costner starred in and co-produced 'Wyatt Earp'.
1995: Acquired company developing oil separation machines
In 1995, Kevin Costner purchased a company focused on developing oil separation machines using a patent acquired from the U.S. government.
1995: Waterworld Release
In 1995, Kevin Costner starred in and co-produced 'Waterworld'.
1997: The Postman Release and Reception
In 1997, Kevin Costner directed and starred in 'The Postman', which was considered an artistic failure and won multiple Golden Raspberry Awards.
1999: Message in a Bottle and For Love of the Game Releases
In 1999, Kevin Costner starred in 'Message in a Bottle' and 'For Love of the Game'.
1999: Message in a Bottle Release
In 1999, Kevin Costner starred in 'Message in a Bottle', based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.
2000: Thirteen Days Release
In 2000, Kevin Costner starred in 'Thirteen Days'.
June 6, 2004: Opened Tatanka: The Story of the Bison
On June 6, 2004, Kevin Costner opened Tatanka: The Story of the Bison, an educational attraction near Deadwood, South Dakota, featuring exhibits and a bronze sculpture depicting a buffalo jump.
2005: Rumor Has It Release
In 2005, Costner starred opposite Jennifer Aniston in the movie Rumor Has It.
2005: The Upside of Anger Release
In 2005, Kevin Costner appeared in 'The Upside of Anger'.
October 2007: Worldwide Tour with Kevin Costner & Modern West
In October 2007, Kevin Costner & Modern West, his country rock band, embarked on a worldwide tour, performing in cities such as Istanbul and Rome.
November 11, 2008: Untold Truths album release
On November 11, 2008, Kevin Costner and Modern West released their country album, 'Untold Truths', under Universal South Records.
2008: Produced NASCAR Documentary The Ride of Their Lives
In 2008, Kevin Costner collaborated with NASCAR Media Group and CMT Films to produce the NASCAR documentary 'The Ride of Their Lives', and he also served as the narrator.
2008: Closure of Tig Productions
In 2008, Kevin Costner's Tig Productions company closed and was changed to Tree House Films.
2009: Touring and Big Valley Jamboree incident
In 2009, Kevin Costner and Modern West toured, and at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alberta, a severe thunderstorm caused a stage collapse, resulting in one death and numerous injuries. Subsequently, a dinner with Costner was auctioned for $41,000 to support the victim's family.
2009: Spokesman for NASCAR Day
In 2009, Kevin Costner was named the spokesman for NASCAR Day, and he later performed with his band and judged a contest at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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, followed by a European tour.
2010: The Company Men Release
In 2010, Costner appeared in The Company Men alongside Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper.
January 2011: The Company Men Worldwide Release
In January 2011, The Company Men was released in cinemas worldwide, following its debut at the Sundance Film Festival.
2011: Directorial Plans
In 2011, Kevin Costner announced plans to direct 'A Little War of Our Own' and team up with Kevin Reynolds in 'Learning Italian', though no updates have been released since.
May 28, 2012: Hatfields & McCoys Premiere
On May 28, 2012, the three-part miniseries 'Hatfields & McCoys', starring Kevin Costner, premiered on the History Channel.
July 2012: Performance at Telus World Skins Game
In July 2012, Kevin Costner and Modern West performed at the 20th annual Telus World Skins Game in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in support of the IWK Health Centre Foundation, donating a signed guitar.
2012: Hatfields & McCoys Miniseries
In 2012, Kevin Costner portrayed Devil Anse Hatfield in the miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.
2013: Man of Steel Release
In 2013, Kevin Costner played Jonathan Kent in 'Man of Steel'.
2013: Awards for Hatfields & McCoys
In 2013, Kevin Costner won the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Globe Award for his role in 'Hatfields & McCoys'.
2014: Jack Ryan, 3 Days to Kill, Draft Day, and Black or White Releases
In 2014, Kevin Costner appeared in 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit', '3 Days to Kill', 'Draft Day', and 'Black or White'.
2015: Co-authored 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: McFarland, USA Release
In 2015, Kevin Costner played coach Jim White in the drama film 'McFarland, USA'.
2017: Molly's Game Release
In 2017, Kevin Costner starred in 'Molly's Game'.
2018: Yellowstone Series
From 2018, Kevin Costner portrayed rancher John Dutton on the Paramount Network drama series Yellowstone.
2019: The Highwaymen Release
In 2019, Kevin Costner starred in 'The Highwaymen'.
2019: The Art of Racing in the Rain Release
In 2019, Kevin Costner voiced Enzo the dog in 'The Art of Racing in the Rain'.
2020: Let Him Go Release
In 2020, Kevin Costner appeared in 'Let Him Go'.
2020: Joined HearHere travel app
In 2020, Kevin Costner became a co-founder, narrator, and investor in HearHere, an audio entertainment travel app.
August 2022: Began production on Horizon: An American Saga
In August 2022, Kevin Costner commenced production on 'Horizon: An American Saga', a Western epic planned as at least four films.
November 2022: Completed production on the first Horizon film
By November 2022, production was completed on the first 'Horizon' film after approximately 220 days of filming.
May 2023: Production of Horizon films underway
By May 2023, production for subsequent films in the Horizon saga was underway.
2023: Yellowstone Series
In 2023, Kevin Costner was still acting on Yellowstone, the paramount network drama series.
August 16, 2024: Chapter 2 delayed
Originally set for release on August 16, 2024, 'Chapter 2' of the Horizon saga was indefinitely delayed following mixed reviews and the box office failure of Chapter 1.
2024: Horizon: An American Saga Release
In 2024, Kevin Costner directed 'Horizon: An American Saga'.
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