Kevin Costner : Biography

Kevin was born in Lynwood, California on January 18, 1955, the third child of Bill Costner, a ditch digger and ultimately an electric line servicer for Southern California Edison, and Sharon. His older brother, Dan, was born in 1950. A middle brother died at birth in 1953. His Dad's job required him to move regularly, which caused Kevin to feel like an Army kid, always the new kid at school, which led to him being a daydreamer. As a teen, he sang in the Baptist church choir, wrote poetry, and took writing classes. At 18, he built his own canoe and paddled his way down the rivers that Lewis & Clark followed to the Pacific. Despite his present height, he was only 5'2" when he graduated high school. Nonetheless, he still managed to be a basketball, football, and baseball star. In 1973, he enrolled at California State University at Fullerton, where he majored in business. During that period, Kevin decided to take acting lessons five nights a week. He graduated with a business degree in 1978 and married his college sweetheart, Cindy Silva. He initially took a marketing job in Orange County. Everything changed when he accidentally met Richard Burton on a flight from Mexico. Burton advised him to go completely after acting if that is what he wanted. He quit his job and moved to Hollywood soon after. He drove a truck, worked on a deep sea fishing boat, and gave bus tours to stars' homes before finally making his own way into the films. After making one soft core sex film, he vowed to not work again if that was the only work he could do. He didn't work for nearly six years, while he waited for a proper break. That break came with The Big Chill (1983), even though his scenes ended up on the cutting room floor -- he was remembered by director Lawrence Kasdan when he decided to make Silverado (1985). Costner's career took off after that.

Kevin Costner : Career

Kevin Costner studied at California State University (1978), became an actor, and established a reputation in the critically acclaimed films Bull Durham (1988) and Field of Dreams (1989). He directed and starred in the epic film Dances With Wolves (1990), a major triumph which won seven Oscars. Further successes followed with starring roles in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), JFK (1991), The Bodyguard (1992), and Waterworld (1995). The Postman (1997), which he also directed, Message in a Bottle (1999), and For the Love of the Game (1999), were less favourably received. Later films include Beyond Borders (2000) and Open Range (2003).

Kevin Costner : Films

The Upside of Anger (2005), Open Range (2003), Dragonfly (2002), 3000 Miles to Graceland (2000), Thirteen Days (2000), For Love of the Game (1999), Message In A Bottle (1999), The Postma (1997) , Tin Cup (1996), Waterworld (1995), Wyatt Earp (1994), The War (1994), A Perfect World (1993), The Bodyguard (1992), JFK (1991), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), Dances with Wolves (1990), Revenge (1990) , Field of Dreams (1989), Bull Durham (1988), The Untouchables (1987), No Way Out (1987), Shadows Run Black(1986) , American Flyers (1985), Fandango (1985), Silverado (1985), The Gunrunner (1984), Table for Five (1983) , Testament (1983), Night Shift (1982), Frances (1982), Chasing Dreams (1982), Stacy's Knights (1982)