Yellowstone's Cole Hauser Unrecognizable in Rare Photo With His Son

When Yellowstone premiered on the Paramount Network in 2018, it was clear that the show was destined for success. Indeed, it has since had five seasons, inspired numerous spin-offs, and attracted a loyal fanbase. Yellowstone fans are currently looking forward to the second part of season 5, which is expected to be the show's finale as Kevin Costner, who plays the lead role, is leaving the project.

Nevertheless, Yellowstone's legacy will continue even after the main character's exit, as there are several spin-offs planned that are going to focus on the main show's other characters audiences have come to love. Rip Wheeler, portrayed by Cole Hauser, is one of them. Surprisingly, the actor bears little resemblance to his iconic character in real life.

Family Archive Photo

Cole Hauser and his wife, Cynthia Daniel, star of Sweet Valley High, recently celebrated their eldest son's nineteenth birthday. Both shared a nostalgic family photo of them holding Ryland, then a toddler, on their Instagram stories. Interestingly, in the picture, the Yellowstone actor looks markedly different from the image we've grown accustomed to over the past five years.

Aside from looking younger, Hauser looks noticeably slimmer than his stout character on Yellowstone. Most strikingly, he has curly red hair and a sparse ginger beard.

Transformation Beyond All Recognition

According to Cole Hauser, it was Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone, who suggested the actor dye his hair for the role. There were several reasons for this.

'As you know, Kelly [Reilly] is a ginger. And I'm ginger as well. So, it would've looked like we were brother and sister. So we had to make sure that that wasn't the case. And he [Taylor Sheridan] was like, "I don't wanna do it to her, but what do you think of dying your hair?" 'cause I'd dyed it for other stuff that I'd done. And they liked that look. And it's kind of a harder look, you know – your eyes pop a little bit more,' the actor shared in an interview.

Interestingly, a change of hair color wasn't the only transformation Hauser had to undergo.

'And then I think, this is the physicality. I mean, I just rode horses every day all day long until my legs were about to fall off. And that just gets you strong, you know,' he continued. 'And then you eat kind of what cowboys eat, which is just rice, beans, and, you know, steak. And your body just ends up changing into something that it wasn't before.'

Source: YouTube.