Career Timeline of Kevin Costner: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 4, 2026

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

Kevin Costner is a prominent American actor, producer, director, and musician. His career is marked by significant recognition, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award, highlighting his impact and success in the entertainment industry.

Sections (4)

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

1995: Purchase of Oil Separation Machine Company

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

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

On June 6, 2004, Kevin Costner opened Tatanka: The Story of the Bison near Deadwood, South Dakota. The attraction features exhibits about bison and the relationship of the Plains Indians to the animals, with a bronze sculpture depicting a buffalo jump.

October 2007: Kevin Costner & Modern West Worldwide Tour Begins

In October 2007, Kevin Costner & Modern West, the country rock band founded by Costner, began a worldwide tour that included shows in Istanbul and Rome. The band also performed at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

November 11, 2008: Untold Truths Album Release

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: Production of NASCAR Documentary

In 2008, Kevin Costner worked with the NASCAR Media Group and CMT Films to produce the NASCAR documentary "The Ride of Their Lives," which he also narrated. The documentary was released in December.

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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.

May 2010: Testing of Oil Separation Machines

In late May 2010, following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, BP took six oil separation machines from Ocean Therapy Solutions, a company in which Kevin Costner had an interest, for testing.

June 16, 2010: BP Leases Oil Separation Devices

On June 16, 2010, BP entered into a lease with Ocean Therapy Solutions for 32 of their oil-water separation devices.

July 2012: Performance at Telus World Skins Game

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

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, with John Baird, Stephen C. Meyer, and Rick Ross.

2020: Joins HearHere App

In 2020, Kevin Costner joined Woody Sears's new audio entertainment travel app, HearHere, as a co-founder, podcast narrator, and investor. He narrates audio stories for travelers on road trips across the United States.

August 2022: Horizon: An American Saga Production Begins

In August 2022, Kevin Costner began production on "Horizon: An American Saga", a Western epic planned as a series of four films. Costner is both starring in and directing the project, initially conceived as an event television series.

November 2022: Completion of First Horizon Film

By November 2022, production of the first film in the "Horizon: An American Saga" series, which lasted at least 220 days, had been completed.

May 2023: Production of Horizon Films Underway

By May 2023, production had begun on the subsequent films in the "Horizon: An American Saga" series.

August 16, 2024: Chapter 2 Release Delay

Originally set for an August 16, 2024, release date, Chapter 2 of "Horizon: An American Saga" was indefinitely delayed due to poor box-office returns from Chapter 1, despite mixed reviews after its debut at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.