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 highly acclaimed American actor and filmmaker recognized with numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. His career spans both acting and directing, cementing his status as a significant figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (4)

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

1990: Academy Awards for Dances With Wolves

In 1990, Kevin Costner received two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director for "Dances With Wolves".

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1991: Opening of Midnight Star Casino and Restaurant

In 1991, Kevin Costner opened the Midnight Star Casino and Restaurant in Deadwood, South Dakota.

1994: Commission of Tatanka Bison Sculpture

In 1994, Kevin Costner commissioned Hill City artist Peggy Detmers to create a bronze sculpture depicting a buffalo jump, which would eventually become the centerpiece of his Tatanka: The Story of the Bison attraction.

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

On June 6, 2004, Kevin Costner opened Tatanka: The Story of the Bison, an attraction near Deadwood, South Dakota, intended to educate visitors about America's westward expansion and the relationship between Plains Indians and bison.

October 2007: Worldwide Tour Begins for Kevin Costner & Modern West

In October 2007, Kevin Costner & Modern West, the country rock band founded by Costner, embarked on a worldwide tour, including performances in Istanbul and Rome.

November 11, 2008: Release of Untold Truths Album

On November 11, 2008, Kevin Costner and Modern West released their country album, "Untold Truths", under Universal South Records. The album achieved No. 61 on the Billboard Top Country Albums and No. 35 on the Top Heatseekers 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.

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2009: Spokesman for NASCAR Day

In 2009, Kevin Costner served as the spokesman for NASCAR Day, and he performed with his band at Charlotte Motor Speedway and judged the Victory Challenge.

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

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

2011: Radio Spots for National World War I Museum

In the spring of 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.

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 in support of the IWK Health Centre Foundation, donating a guitar autographed by Costner.

2012: Golden Globe Award for Hatfields & McCoys

In 2012, Kevin Costner received a Golden Globe Award for "Hatfields & McCoys".

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October 2014: Tribute to British Troops

In October 2014, Kevin Costner sent a tribute to British troops serving around the world, expressing gratitude for their service.

2015: Co-Author of 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.

2017: Closure of the Midnight Star Casino

In 2017, Kevin Costner closed the Midnight Star Casino and Restaurant in Deadwood, South Dakota.

2020: Co-founding of HearHere Travel App

In 2020, Kevin Costner became a co-founder, investor, and podcast narrator for HearHere, a travel app that provides audio entertainment for road trips.

2020: Sale of the Midnight Star Casino

In 2020, Kevin Costner sold the Midnight Star Casino and Restaurant in Deadwood, South Dakota.

August 2022: Production begins on Horizon: An American Saga

In August 2022, Kevin Costner began production on "Horizon: An American Saga", a Western epic planned as a series of four films. Costner is set to star in and direct the project, which was initially conceived as a television series.

November 2022: Filming Completion of Horizon: An American Saga - Part 1

In November 2022, production was completed on the first film of the "Horizon: An American Saga" series. The production took approximately 220 days.

May 2023: Production Underway for Next Horizon Films

By May 2023, Kevin Costner had production underway for the subsequent films in the "Horizon: An American Saga" series.

2023: Golden Globe Award for Yellowstone

In 2023, Kevin Costner received a Golden Globe Award for "Yellowstone".

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June 2024: Release of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1

In June 2024, "Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1" was released. The film garnered mixed reviews and experienced a box office failure.

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August 16, 2024: Indefinite Delay of Horizon Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of the "Horizon: An American Saga" was set to be released on August 16, 2024, but was indefinitely delayed because of the poor box office returns of Chapter 1. Chapter 2 had received mixed reviews after its debut at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.