Kevin Costner is no stranger to awards shows, and more than that, he’s no stranger to winning categories for his immense talent and passion for his craft. Costner’s contributions to the entertainment world can’t be understated, and his latest role as John Dutton in Paramount’s Yellowstone is the kind of character fans can’t get enough of.
As the patriarch of a family that faces battles and adversaries like it’s their job, the role of John isn’t an easy one to take on. Costner shoulders a lot of heartache and pain as the Dutton family leader, and no one could bring justice to the role the way he does. Portraying a man who seemingly has the world in the palm of his hand, Costner brings a vulnerability to the character in a way that requires respect; you may not agree with everything John does, but you’re not going to question it. His intentions are to keep his family safe and together; you can’t fault the man for that.
So fans were thrilled when Costner was nominated for a Golden Globe for his part in Yellowstone. Taylor Sheridan’s series is often, and unfairly, overlooked when it comes to awards season, so to see his name in the running was a blessing. When the big night came earlier this year, Costner took to social media just hours before the show to let fans know that the flooding in California was stopping him from attending the ceremony in person.
Thanks to Costner, Yellowstone received its first Golden Globe win for Actor in a Drama Series. The long overdue win hopefully propels the momentum necessary to ensure the series’ staying power in future circles like the Globes. The cast and crew work hard to tell the beautiful yet heartwrenching story, and they deserve recognition.
Costner’s frustration was evident as he explained his absence to fans, but he shared that he’d be spending the evening with his family, which was a blessing in its own right. He then said that his wife, Christine, was trying his best to ensure that they’d still have a great night, and in an emotional Instagram video shared late Monday evening, he shared more about their special night together.
He also let us in on his emotions as he opened his award.
“Chris had a dress. I had a tuxedo, it was in another hotel down in LA, and you know, I never liked to be too cool for school — I wanted to be there. Chris realized that my heart was a little bit low, and my wife, with 30 bucks, went down to the store. I’ll never forget this, and she bought about 30 balloons because it was just going to be us and our family and the den watching the Golden Globes. Something we imagined ourselves being there, something I dreamed about: to be nominated as an actor —was really important to me, and we couldn’t be there, but my wife found a way to take something really simple, and my children and I sat on the couch, and we watched the whole doggone thing.”
Costner went on to explain that, as a family, they were able to share a moment that was very important to him. He may not have been in attendance, dressed to the nines alongside his beautiful wife, but it was a moment he’ll treasure for years to come. That being said, he also wanted to share another treasured moment with fans by opening his award in a video that allowed them to see it.
“My kids heard our name be called, and we weren’t at one of the greatest parties in the world — we wanted to be, but we found ourselves together as a family. My children heard my name called, stood up, and cheered, and the award just came here, and I thought for all the people who have supported me for the Golden Globes, which I was so happy about; I’ve known them a long time at the international community, and they’ve always been very kind to me, and I couldn’t be there, but this is the award; so I’m going to just open in front of all my friends out there.”
He went on to talk about how important the award was to him because it meant that he’d been honored for a lifelong dream; Costner shared that as an actor, you dream about your name being called as the winner of an award, and it’s a feeling he was able to embrace. It’s something that brings him a sense of peace and joy. The last line of his speech was the most emotional, as his eyes almost seemed to tear up as he looked back at his career so far, realizing that finding film was a changing moment for him.
“I’m holding it for everybody who supported me for the Hollywood foreign press for thinking enough of what I did this year, and it’s good to say — I’m glad I’ve found the movies in my life; that made a difference. I don’t know what would have happened to me if I hadn’t found the movies. Thank you to everyone.”
We’re certainly glad Costner has found the movies, too, and we’re also glad he took a chance on Yellowstone five years ago. Here’s to the first five seasons with John Dutton and to several more with our favorite patriarch and cowboy.