Introduction

Cole Hauser has carved out an impressive career in Hollywood, transitioning from a young actor in cult classics to becoming a household name through his work in both films and television. With a career spanning over three decades, actor Cole Hauser has demonstrated remarkable versatility, taking on roles ranging from action heroes to complex dramatic characters. His journey from a teenager pursuing his dreams to a celebrated performer showcases the dedication and talent that define his career.

Cole Hauser – Biography

Category	Details
Full Name	Cole Kenneth Hauser
Date of Birth	March 22, 1975
Age	49 years old (as of 2025)
Place of Birth	Santa Barbara, California, USA
Nationality	American
Profession	Actor
Years Active	1992 – Present
Height	6’1″ (185 cm)
Spouse	Cynthia Daniel (m. 2006)
Children	Three (Colt, Ryland, and Steely)
Parents	Wings Hauser (father), Cass Warner (mother)
Paternal Grandfather	Dwight Hauser (screenwriter, actor, producer)
Maternal Grandfather	Milton Sperling (screenwriter and film producer)
Maternal Great-Grandfather	Harry M. Warner (Warner Bros. co-founder)
Education	Dropped out of high school at age 16
Debut Film	School Ties (1992)
First Role Age	17 years old
Notable Films	Dazed and Confused (1993), Good Will Hunting (1997), Pitch Black (2000), Tigerland (2000), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), Tears of the Sun (2003)
Notable TV Shows	Yellowstone (2018-present), Rogue (2013-2017), K-Ville (2007)
Breakout TV Role	Rip Wheeler in Yellowstone
Awards & Nominations	Independent Spirit Award nomination (2001), SAG Award nomination (2022), Faith in Film Best Actor (2022)
Philanthropy	Board member of Special Operations Warrior Foundation
Residence	Outside Los Angeles, California
Known For	Action roles, military characters, Western dramas

Personal Background

Birth and Early Life

Born Cole Kenneth Hauser on March 22, 1975, in Santa Barbara, California, the actor’s early years were marked by significant change. His parents divorced when he was just two years old, leading to a childhood spent moving between California, Oregon, and Florida. These formative years across different states would later inform the authenticity he brings to his diverse character portrayals.

Hollywood Legacy Family

Cole Hauser comes from one of Hollywood’s most distinguished lineages. His mother, Cass Warner, founded the Warner Sisters film production company and carries the legacy of her family’s contribution to cinema. His father, Wings Hauser, built his own reputation as an actor, providing Cole with firsthand insight into the industry. The family tree extends deeper into entertainment history: his paternal grandfather, Dwight Hauser, worked as a screenwriter, actor, and producer, while his maternal grandfather, Milton Sperling, established himself as a screenwriter and film producer. Perhaps most notably, his maternal great-grandfather, Harry M. Warner, co-founded Warner Bros., one of the most influential studios in film history.

Education and Career Decision

At age 16, Cole Hauser made a bold decision that would define his future. He dropped out of high school to pursue acting full-time, learning audition techniques directly from his father. This hands-on education proved invaluable when he landed his first role at age 17, marking the beginning of what would become a distinguished career.

Film Career: 1990s Breakthrough

Early Roles (1992-1995)

Cole Hauser’s film debut came in 1992 with “School Ties,” where he appeared alongside future stars Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Brendan Fraser. This ensemble cast provided the younger Cole Hauser with an environment to hone his craft among peers who would also achieve significant success. The following year, he appeared in Richard Linklater’s cult classic “Dazed and Confused” (1993), a film that has since become a touchstone of 1990s cinema. In 1995, he took on a challenging role in “Higher Learning,” portraying a neo-Nazi skinhead leader—a performance that demonstrated his willingness to tackle difficult and controversial characters.

Notable 1990s Films

The decade culminated with his appearance in “Good Will Hunting” (1997), where he reunited with Affleck and Damon in what would become an Oscar-winning film. These early Cole Hauser movies established him as a reliable performer capable of holding his own among Hollywood’s rising talent.

Film Career: 2000s Action and Drama

Major Film Roles

The new millennium saw Cole Hauser transition into more prominent roles. In “Pitch Black” (2000), he portrayed William J. Johns, a role he even reprised by voicing the character in the video game adaptation. That same year, his performance in “Tigerland” earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male, marking a significant career milestone.

Cole Hauser pitch black performance introduced him to science fiction audiences, while subsequent films broadened his range. He appeared in “Hart’s War” (2002) alongside Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell, followed by “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003), where he played mob boss Carter Verone. His military-themed work continued with “Tears of the Sun” (2003), where he portrayed a Navy SEAL working alongside Bruce Willis.

Other notable Cole Hauser films from this period include “Paparazzi” (2004), produced by Mel Gibson, “The Cave” (2005), and “The Break-Up” (2006) with Vince Vaughn, showcasing his ability to move between action, thriller, and comedy genres.

2010s Action Films

The following decade brought more action-oriented roles. He appeared in “A Good Day to Die Hard” (2013) as CIA Agent Mike Collins, “Olympus Has Fallen” (2013) as Secret Service Agent Roma, and “Transcendence” (2014) as Colonel Stevens opposite Johnny Depp. These Cole Hauser movies and shows demonstrated his continuing appeal in the action genre.

Television Career

Early TV Work

Before becoming a television mainstay, Cole Hauser appeared in “High Incident,” playing Officer Randy Willitz, giving audiences an early glimpse of his television potential.

Major Television Roles

His television career expanded with “K-Ville” (2007), a FOX series that was canceled after 10 episodes. He then took on the role of Ethan Kelly in “Rogue” (2013-2017) on DirecTV’s Audience Network, and appeared in “The Lizzie Borden Chronicles” (2015) on Lifetime.

However, his career-defining television role came in 2018 when he joined the cast of “Yellowstone” as Rip Wheeler on Paramount Network. Created by Taylor Sheridan and co-starring Kevin Costner, the series became a cultural phenomenon. Cole Hauser movies and tv shows had prepared him for this moment, but “Yellowstone” elevated him to a new level of recognition and became his most prominent role to date.

Personal Life

Family

In 2006, Cole Hauser married Cynthia Daniel, a photographer and former actress. The Cole Hauser and wife relationship has proven enduring, with the couple raising three children together: Colt, Ryland, and Steely. Cole Hauser wife Cynthia Daniel has maintained a successful career in photography while supporting her husband’s acting endeavors. The Cole Hauser Cynthia Daniel wedding marked the beginning of a partnership that has lasted nearly two decades. The family chooses to live outside of Los Angeles, maintaining a degree of privacy away from Hollywood’s spotlight.

Philanthropy

Beyond his acting career, he serves as a board member of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and is an avid supporter of the Armed Forces. He participated in SOWF’s 2021 Join Forces: Texas Style event, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to military communities.

Career Recognition

Throughout his career, Cole Hauser has received several notable accolades. His Independent Spirit Award nomination in 2001 for “Tigerland” represented early critical recognition. He received a Movieline breakthrough performance acknowledgment for “White Oleander,” and in 2022, earned a SAG Award nomination as part of the ensemble cast of “Yellowstone.” That same year, he won the Faith in Film Best Actor award, further cementing his status as a respected performer.

Career Characteristics and Legacy

Actor Cole Hauser has become known for his action and military roles, bringing authenticity and intensity to physically demanding performances. His long-standing collaborations with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, dating back to his younger days, speak to the respect he’s earned among his peers. His versatile range—from playing a neo-Nazi to romantic comedy roles to his iconic Western cowboy in “Yellowstone”—demonstrates an actor unafraid to take risks and challenge himself.

The successful transition from film to prestige television represents one of his most impressive achievements. While many actors struggle to move between mediums, he has thrived in both spaces, adapting his talents to the evolving entertainment landscape.

Cole Hauser Net Worth and Success

While specific figures regarding Cole Hauser net worth vary, his decades-long career in major films and his starring role in one of television’s most popular series have undoubtedly contributed to significant financial success. His consistent work across multiple decades in both film and television positions him as one of Hollywood’s enduring talents.

Conclusion

From a young actor making his debut in the early 1990s to becoming a television icon through “Yellowstone,” the journey of Cole Hauser represents dedication, versatility, and talent. His Hollywood legacy family background provided a foundation, but his own hard work and choices shaped his distinctive career path. Whether appearing in Cole Hauser movies or commanding the screen in television dramas, he continues to captivate audiences with performances that balance intensity with authenticity. As his career continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: Cole Hauser has secured his place as one of Hollywood’s most reliable and compelling actors.

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