Before Cole Hauser became known as the gruff and loyal Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone, his life was shaped by hardship and persistence. He didn’t know his father until his teenage years, and meeting him didn’t bring easy answers.
Cole was born on a ranch in California and spent his early years among horses and open spaces. However, his mother’s wandering lifestyle led them to Oregon and Florida. Acting started for him at twelve, mainly as a way to connect socially, but it soon became a serious calling.
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Despite being part of a famous family, doors to Hollywood didn’t open easily. His mother made him earn every opportunity, sending him on long bus rides to Los Angeles for auditions.
Living briefly with his father, actor Wings Hauser, Cole found a troubled man battling addiction. Without a stable home, he lived on a docked boat in Marina del Rey, making the best of his freedom.
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His career slowly gained momentum, starting with School Ties, before his defining role on Yellowstone. To prepare as Rip Wheeler, Cole trained hard to be a real cowboy, using his childhood roots as inspiration.
Visiting Montana with his son revealed their family’s extensive legacy in the West. Today, Cole balances fatherhood with acting, proud of a journey built with grit, patience, and resilience.
