RANCH HAND
YELLOWSTONE ’ S COLE HAUSER BRINGS HEART AND SOUL TO COWBOY ROLE .
BY SONDRA BARR
When Cole Hauser ambled in to his first scene in the Paramount series Yellowstone , it took more than a few episodes to place where you ’ d seen the actor before .
Hauser ’ s transformation from the clean-shaven actor who first appeared in 1992 ’ s School Ties , followed by such films as Good Will Hunting , Pitch Black , Olympus Has Fallen , Transcendence , and 2 Fast 2 Furious , was such that it completely took viewers by surprise .
Sporting a dark , wiry beard , substantial heft , a worn cowboy hat , and steely gaze , Hauser ’ s portrayal of Yellowstone ’ s ranch foreman Rip Wheeler is engrossing . A complex character that is both fierce yet vulnerable , rough yet tender , his deft performance leaves women watching the show swooning and the men wanting to be him .
In a show that highlights ranching , wildlife conflicts , and politics amid fiery family drama and corrupt land developers , Rip serves as the show ’ s moral compass of sorts . The perfect foil to John Dutton , the hardened ranching patriarch of the Yellowstone ranch skillfully played by Kevin Costner , Rip ’ s storyline is rich in contrasts .
“ He is quiet , cool , and breathes everything that is Montana . Rip Wheeler is someone who is not very modern , who is more old school in his loyalties and in the way he acts . I realized this is something that needs to be portrayed , and I wanted to do it ,” explained Hauser to Guns & Ammo ’ s Mike Schooby on his motivation to take on the role .
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