Kevin Costner’s Best Roles

Kevin Costner has been a fixture in Hollywood for decades, creating a career known for its versatility and memorable characters. From heroic lawmen and dedicated family men to complex anti-heroes, he has brought a unique sense of integrity and quiet strength to the screen. His work often explores classic American themes, whether in the sprawling landscapes of the West or the familiar setting of a baseball diamond, making him a truly iconic American actor.

His appeal lies in his ability to portray ordinary men in extraordinary situations, making their struggles and triumphs feel relatable. Over the years, he has not only starred in numerous successful films but also stepped behind the camera to direct, earning critical acclaim for his storytelling. This collection of roles showcases his talent for capturing the heart of a character and telling a compelling story, solidifying his place as an enduring star.

‘The Postman’ (1997)

In a post-apocalyptic America, Kevin Costner plays a nameless drifter who stumbles upon a mail carrier’s uniform and jeep. He assumes the role of “The Postman” and begins delivering mail, inadvertently sparking hope and inspiring a rebellion against a tyrannical warlord. His character becomes a symbol of renewed civilization and unity in a fractured world.

The film, which Costner also directed, explores themes of hope, responsibility, and the power of symbols to unite people. His character’s journey from a cynical survivor to an unwilling hero provides the story’s emotional core. He creates a network of postal carriers that helps reconnect isolated communities, laying the groundwork for the restoration of the United States.

‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ (1991)

Kevin Costner portrays Robin of Locksley, an English nobleman who returns from the Crusades to find his father murdered and his lands confiscated by the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham. He escapes into Sherwood Forest, where he joins a band of outlaws and becomes their leader, vowing to fight for the oppressed and restore King Richard to the throne.

His version of the legendary hero is a battle-hardened soldier who is driven by a strong sense of justice. Alongside his Moorish companion Azeem, he leads the fight against the Sheriff’s tyranny, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. The role cemented Costner’s status as a major leading man capable of headlining large-scale action-adventure films.

‘Wyatt Earp’ (1994)

Kevin Costner takes on the role of the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, tracing his life from a young boy in Iowa to the famed gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The film provides a comprehensive look at the man behind the myth, exploring his complex family relationships and the events that shaped his unyielding pursuit of justice.

Costner’s portrayal focuses on Earp’s evolution from a family man to a hardened officer of the law in towns like Wichita and Dodge City. The story details his friendships with figures like Doc Holliday and his confrontational relationship with the Clanton and McLaury clans. It’s a character study that delves into the personal struggles and moral code of one of the West’s most famous figures.

‘Tin Cup’ (1996)

In this romantic comedy, Kevin Costner plays Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy, a brilliant but washed-up golf pro living in a trailer in West Texas. He runs a humble driving range and has lost his ambition until he meets a psychologist who inspires him to try and qualify for the U.S. Open, not just to win the tournament but to win her heart.

Costner’s character is a charming underachiever who gambles on his immense talent in a single, high-stakes tournament. The film follows his journey as he confronts his own self-destructive habits and his rivalry with a successful PGA Tour star. His performance captures the internal conflict of a man torn between playing it safe and risking it all for a shot at greatness.

‘The Upside of Anger’ (2005)

Kevin Costner plays Denny Davies, a former baseball star turned radio talk show host who becomes involved with his neighbor, a sharp-witted woman whose husband has just disappeared. His character is a laid-back, good-natured alcoholic who provides comfort and stability for her and her four daughters as they navigate their family crisis.

Denny forms a genuine connection with the family, becoming a father figure to the daughters and a romantic partner to their mother. Costner’s performance is filled with warmth and humor, showcasing his ability to play a character who is flawed yet deeply caring. He helps the family heal while also finding a new sense of purpose in his own life.

‘Mr. Brooks’ (2007)

Kevin Costner portrays Earl Brooks, a successful businessman who leads a double life as a meticulous and cunning serial killer. He struggles with a murderous addiction, personified by his sinister alter ego, and tries to keep his dark secret from his family and the determined detective who is pursuing him.

The character is a complex mix of a loving family man and a cold-blooded killer, and Costner delves into this duality with a chilling performance. Mr. Brooks finds himself in a complicated situation when a witness to his latest crime tries to blackmail him into taking him along on a kill. The role is a significant departure from his more heroic characters, showcasing his range as an actor.

‘A Perfect World’ (1993)

Kevin Costner plays Butch Haynes, an escaped convict who kidnaps a young boy from a devout family in rural Texas. As they go on the run from the law, an unexpected bond forms between the two. The convict becomes a flawed father figure to the boy, who has never experienced a normal childhood.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film explores the complex relationship between the kidnapper and his hostage. Costner’s character is both dangerous and sympathetic, a man shaped by a troubled past who shows moments of tenderness toward the child. The manhunt, led by a Texas Ranger played by Eastwood, creates a tense backdrop for this unconventional story of friendship and escape.

‘Thirteen Days’ (2000)

In this historical thriller, Kevin Costner plays Kenneth O’Donnell, a top aide and special assistant to President John F. Kennedy. The film dramatizes the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, showing the intense thirteen-day standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union from inside the White House.

Costner’s character serves as the audience’s guide through the high-stakes political maneuvering and military tensions that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. He is a key member of the President’s inner circle, providing advice and acting as a sounding board during critical moments. The film highlights the immense pressure faced by the Kennedy administration as they worked to find a peaceful resolution.

‘Open Range’ (2003)

Kevin Costner stars as Charley Waite, a former gunslinger who now lives a quiet life as a free-grazer, driving cattle across the open range with his boss. Their peaceful existence is shattered when they run into a ruthless land baron who controls a local town and threatens anyone who crosses his territory.

Costner also directed this Western, which builds to a dramatic and realistic final shootout. His character, who has tried to leave his violent past behind, is forced to pick up his guns again to defend his friends and fight for justice. The film is a classic Western that explores themes of loyalty, honor, and the changing American frontier.

‘Molly’s Game’ (2017)

Kevin Costner plays the estranged father of Molly Bloom, a former Olympic-level skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game. In his role as a clinical psychologist, he appears in a key scene near the end of the film to confront his daughter and help her understand the motivations behind her choices.

His powerful monologue provides crucial insight into Molly’s character and their complicated relationship. He explains how his own actions as a father influenced her drive for success and her need to have power over powerful men. It’s a pivotal performance that brings emotional depth and resolution to the story.

‘Field of Dreams’ (1989)

Kevin Costner plays Ray Kinsella, an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice whisper, “If you build it, he will come.” He interprets this as an instruction to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. The field soon attracts the ghosts of legendary baseball players, including Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ray’s journey is a tale of faith, second chances, and reconciliation. His quest to understand the meaning behind the field leads him on a cross-country trip where he meets a reclusive author and the ghost of a former player. Ultimately, the story is about mending his relationship with his deceased father, with whom he shared a love for baseball.

‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)

Kevin Costner portrays Al Harrison, the director of the Space Task Group at NASA during the early 1960s. He is in charge of the team of engineers and mathematicians responsible for putting an American astronaut into orbit. He is a fictional composite character based on several NASA directors from that era.

Harrison is a pragmatic and results-driven leader who is more concerned with winning the Space Race than with the social conventions of the time. When he realizes that segregationist policies are hindering the work of his most brilliant mathematician, Katherine Johnson, he personally takes action to desegregate the workplace. His character represents the institutional change that was necessary for progress.

‘The Untouchables’ (1987)

In this classic crime film, Kevin Costner stars as federal agent Eliot Ness, who is tasked with taking down the notorious gangster Al Capone in Prohibition-era Chicago. Faced with widespread corruption within the police force, Ness assembles a small, handpicked team of trustworthy men known as “The Untouchables.”

Ness is an idealistic lawman who learns that he must bend the rules to fight a ruthless criminal empire. Guided by an experienced Irish-American cop, he and his team work to disrupt Capone’s bootlegging operations and bring him to justice. The role established Costner as a leading man and a symbol of integrity and determination.

‘JFK’ (1991)

Kevin Costner plays Jim Garrison, the New Orleans District Attorney who becomes obsessed with investigating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The film follows his tireless efforts to uncover what he believes is a vast conspiracy behind the official story presented by the Warren Commission.

Garrison’s investigation leads him to question the lone gunman theory and to bring charges against a prominent New Orleans businessman for his alleged involvement in a plot to kill the president. Costner’s performance captures the character’s relentless drive for the truth, even as his investigation takes a toll on his personal and professional life.

‘Dances with Wolves’ (1990)

Kevin Costner stars as Lieutenant John Dunbar, a Union Army officer who requests a posting on the American frontier after being wounded in the Civil War. He finds himself at a deserted outpost, where he begins a solitary existence and soon befriends a wolf and his Native American neighbors, the Lakota Sioux.

As Dunbar forms a deep bond with the Lakota people, he is given the name “Dances with Wolves” and gradually adopts their culture and way of life. Costner, who also made his directorial debut with the film, tells a powerful story of cultural exchange and personal transformation, set against the backdrop of the vanishing West. The film won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

What are your favorite Kevin Costner roles and why do they stand out to you?