There are not many men in Hollywood today that are well-rounded, genuine, supportive of their community and steadfast in their value-base. Mr Cole Hauser is certainly one of the mighty few. Cole is an American actor who is currently starring in the TV series Yellowstone. His past work includes such films as: Rogue, Act of Violence, Good Will Hunting, Dazed and Confused, The Chronicles of Riddick, Transcendence, A Good Day to Die Hard, Higher Learning, and The Breakup. From his dynamic screen personality to his personal life, Cole exemplifies how hard work and dedication pays off.
I had the opportunity and pleasure of interviewing Cole recently, and ask him some questions for our readership. He was one of the most honest and candid men I have talked to in a while. Real is what we all need in this time of filters and online personas. Cole and I talked family, future, and film. Through the conversation, it became evident that Cole is a man of integrity, tenacity, and dedication to his family and his profession.
CR-
The TV series Yellowstone has been a great success in it’s first season. How did you get introduced to this project and to the creator John Linson?
Cole-
John Linson and I have known each other for almost twenty years. His mother and my mother are very good friends. I meet him when I was in my early twenties. We have always wanted to do something together. This one just worked out, everything just lined up. He sent me the script and I looked at it. In my opinion he is one of the best American writers. I just came off of filming the movies Rogue and The Last Champion. He gave me the script and I fell in love with Rip (Coles character on Yellowstone). It all worked out, thank God.
CR-
I love the character Rip Wheeler. He is complex and deep. What drew you to the role and made you want to play Rip?
Cole-
It didn’t start that way. It was a creation of Taylor. I don’t think he knew initially what that character was going to be. Over time he saw my commitment to it, and went and ran with it. I think what is brilliant about him (Taylor) is somebody who watches the characters evolve and he certainly saw something in him (Rip). We got to know each other (Taylor and Cole), and we come from a similar background and personally, he put some of those things we both have been through in life. It really created something special.
CR-
Branding, whether cattle or human, is a big part of the story line. It seems to symbolize a variety of things from loyalty to ownership. What else can you tell me about this?
Cole-
That’s John Linson and Taylor Sheridan. They created that and, obviously it goes way back in the history of the Dutton Ranch. You know that John Dutton is father. Taking guys who are essentially criminals, and giving them an opportunity to work a ranch. The loyalty of the Dutton ranch means everything. John Dutton gave my character Rip a chance, and what comes with that is a forever loyalty. That loyalty will never be taken away. If there was a message in this show it would be: loyalty, old school core values, family unity, and even friends being a part of that family unit.
CR-
Talk about Cowboy Camp and your preparation for this role.
Cole-
Yah, I went through that with Luke (Grimes), Wes Bentley, Jeff White, and Denim (Richards) all of us went up to the mountains and ran the rocks. We had a chance to get to know each other, and rough it a bit.This year I took some time and wanted to become really good at riding. I came out a month early to Park City, and rode, roped, cut, and a bunch of stuff every day so I was prepared. You know you stop thinking about riding sometimes when you really get into it. You can do a lot on a horse without even thinking about it. That’s where I wanted to get to. It was really right for me to do. This year I have been able to do a lot more on horseback that last year they wouldn’t have allowed me to do. It is all me. Only once last year did Cooper, my stunt double, get on a horse.
CR-
Thinking about all the roles you have played over the years, what was your favorite?
Cole-
I have been asked that a lot over the years and it’s all of them. Right now it is playing Rip and Yellowstone. I find myself getting so invested over the years in these characters. I find little ways to try to make them as human as possible. As well as make them multi-colored so they aren’t a one trick pony. I really want the audience to go, wow man there is so many levels to that person. I mean, when I’m in it I’m in it. Rip Wheeler is my passion and my love.
CR-
I heard you spent a lot of time in Montana as a child, did that contribute to your interest in the show?
Cole-
My dad’s family is all from Montana. They are all from Helena. My oldest son and I spent some time there recently. We researched the family. I found a lot out about my family. My great-great grandfather, Samual T. Hauser, basically helped fund the Louis and Clark Expedition. I didn’t even know that. There is a lake named after him and all kinds of stuff. We went on this little history tour. He was a really special guy, a pioneer in many ways. He has been there since 1870. Think about that area in 1870, there was nothing out there. He came through the Great Lakes and into Montana, that’s wild. Samual T. Hauser was the first governor of Montana. I have always had this love for the state but didn’t really know why. It makes so much sense now. I mean, my family has been there since the beginning of time.
CR-
Good mentors are rare, who has been your mentor?
Cole-
My grandfather, Milton Sperling. I spent a lot of time with him as a child, and he taught me a lot. Things like being honest, and you know, don’t lie, cheat, and steal. Be a man. If you make mistakes acknowledge those, and move forward. He was a really kind but also a brilliant man. I kind of just studied him as a young kid. Any time I get into a situation where I think there is two ways you can go I choose the way I think my grandfather would go.He was just a solid human being. I have tried to model myself after him. My family is innately hard working. Especially on my moms side. They were Russian Immigrants and they came over and built an empire at Warner Brothers.Even My grandfather, who was a Marine and in Iwo Jima, came back and built the career he had built. You’ve got to work hard, there is no substitute. There is no drug it’s just you, and you have to work your ass off and that’s it!
CR-
How do you maintain a balance between your work and family?
Cole-
I am pretty good about compartmentalizing working and family. They are two of my biggest passions. I am not the kind of guy who forgets about them. I am always making time for each and every one of my children and also my wife, also, as a family together. I am good about making time for the whole family. You have to figure that balance out. But as a father and a husband you have to make the time and work just as hard at it.
CR-
What are your future goals professionally and with your family?
Cole-
My goal is always to be the greatest I can be! It takes making sure you did the homework; and you that you are able to do something special in every scene, even if it is minute. Remember not to get lazy. Lazy to me is not an option. Keep pushing it. Keep trying something new. My character and the show are doing well right now, but I continue to push it and explore. I look at last year and the response that I have gotten about my character. It’s because I have pushed the envelope. There is a great quote (by Peter F Drucker) “…quality has no finish-line”.
If you are going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. Don’t half ass anything. If you are in school, do the best that you can. If you are playing football, soccer, whatever your passion is, give it your all.
CR-
What life advice would you give your 20-year-old self now?
Cole-
You gotta go through what you gotta go through. I tell my sons it’s okay to fail. True …..
Don’t be afraid to fail. In your 20’s you are supposed to, and that’s okay. In your 30’s it’s okay… What failure is, is that you are really trying. Keep on giving the best you can and it’s not always going to go your way. Keep going and trying, if you do fail pick yourself up and keep rolling. If I had to count, I have probably lost more than I have won in life. At least I am trying.
Never stop trying though!
In your twenties, now especially this generation, is so worried about loosing, or how somebody is going to react to a social media post. No one looks each other in the eye anymore, they are detached by a piece of technology. Telephone calls are a weird thing at this point. You have to give yourself time to sit and think without devices. Be able to be comfortable in your own skin.
It is apparent that Cole is comfortable in his own skin. I and The Havok Journal would like to thank Cole Hauser for taking the time out of his busy schedule to participate in this interview. Thank you to Paramount Pictures for providing cast photographs. Cole can be seen playing Rip Wheeler in the TV series Yellowstone on the Paramount Network. The second season begins on June 19, 2019. Also, look for his new movies Rogue and Act of Violence.
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This first appeared in The Havok Journal June 17, 2019.
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The Havok Journal seeks to serve as a voice of the Veteran and First Responder communities through a focus on current affairs and articles of interest to the public in general, and the veteran community in particular. We strive to offer timely, current, and informative content, with the occasional piece focused on entertainment. We are continually expanding and striving to improve the readers’ experience.
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The Havok Journal welcomes re-posting of our original content as long as it is done in compliance with our Terms of Use.