Journey to ‘Yellowstone’: The Remarkable Careers of the Cast Before the Show

Kevin Costner: Character in Yellowstone: John Dutton, the protagonist of the series and the owner of the nation’s largest cattle ranch.

Before taking on the lead role in “Yellowstone,” the celebrated actor shone in numerous successful movies such as “The Postman,” “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” “The Bodyguard,” and “Dances with Wolves.” Not limited to acting, his ventures into directing and producing have also garnered acclaim. Impressively, he has been awarded two Oscars, two Golden Globes, and an Emmy, placing him just a step away from achieving EGOT status. However, his journey with “Yellowstone” came to an end after the first half of season 5 due to creative differences and unsuccessful compensation discussions, as reported by People.

Luke Grimes: Character in Yellowstone: Kayce Dutton, ranch hand, horseman and son of John Dutton. He is married to Monica Long.

Grimes gained recognition for his role as Marc Lee in “American Sniper” and for playing Christian’s older brother in “Fifty Shades of Grey.” His talents have also been showcased in “Brothers & Sisters” and “True Blood.” His musical side emerged with the country album “Pain Pills or Pews,” released in October 2023.

Wes Bentley: Character in Yellowstone: Jamie Dutton, attorney and adopted son of John Dutton, with whom he shares a contentious relationship.

After studying at Juilliard for a year, the actor left to pursue his career, leading to a diverse array of roles. Known for his portrayal of Ricky Fitts in “American Beauty,” which earned him a BAFTA nomination, he has also appeared in “The Hunger Games,” “Interstellar,” and “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” among others.

Kelly Reilly: Character in Yellowstone: Beth Dutton, the only daughter and second-youngest child of John Dutton, who works in banking.

Reilly transitioned from comedic roles to more varied performances, including period dramas and horror films. Her portrayal of Beth Dutton in “Yellowstone” won her a Gracie Award in 2023. Additionally, her performance in “Les Poupées Russes” (“The Russian Dolls”) earned her the Chopard Award for Best Newcomer at Cannes and a César nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Cole Hauser: Character in Yellowstone: Rip Wheeler, the Dutton family’s fixer and bruiser, who is married to Bethany Dutton.

Hauser embarked on his acting career at 16. His notable works include “2 Fast 2 Furious,” “Good Will Hunting,” and “A Good Day to Die Hard.” In 2023, he became involved in a legal dispute when Taylor Sheridan’s coffee company, Bosque Ranch, filed a lawsuit against Hauser’s Free Rein.

Kelsey Asbille: Character in Yellowstone: Monica Dutton, Kayce Dutton’s wife, who works as a teacher and professor. She is the granddaughter of Indian elder Felix Long.

Asbille, who began her career with Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings,” has since taken on the role of Kayce Dutton’s wife on “Yellowstone” and appeared on “Fargo” and “One Tree Hill.” She’s set to feature in the upcoming horror thriller “Don’t Move.”

Gil Birmingham: Character in Yellowstone: Thomas Rainwater is the chairman of the Confederated Tribes of Broken Rock and head of the Broken Rock Indian Reservation.

Initially aspiring to be an engineer, his career took a turn towards acting with his debut in Diana Ross’s “Muscles” music video. Fans may know him as Jacob Black’s father from “Twilight,” but his other roles span “Rango,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “House of Cards,” and “Eternals.” His performance in “Yellowstone” earned him a 2022 SAG Award nomination.