Kevin Costner’s Controversies Through the Years: Stephen Baldwin’s Lawsuit, ‘Yellowstone’ Exit and More

Kevin Costner no stranger to controversy — here are some of the biggest ones the Yellowstone star has found himself embroiled in.

Epic Film Flop

Kevin Costner produced and starred in 1995’s Waterworld — a bomb plagued by injuries, a natural disaster, bad reviews and a budget that ballooned to a then-record $175 million. His next film, 1997’s The Postman, was also widely panned and a dud at the box office.

Surprise Baby

In 1994, Kevin divorced first wife Cindy Silva, who reportedly received an $80 million settlement after 16 years of marriage amid reports he’d been unfaithful. In 1996, he fathered a son, Liam, after a brief relationship with Pittsburgh Steelers heiress Bridget Rooney.

Oil-Cleanup Lawsuit

In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, actor Stephen Baldwin sued Kevin, claiming he lost millions after being misled about a BP deal involving oil-cleaning tech from Kevin’s Ocean Therapy Solutions company, in which Stephen had invested. In 2012, a jury sided with Kevin.

Bitter Second Divorce

His 2023 split from second wife Christine, mom to three of his kids, turned contentious after she challenged their prenup, leading to a headline-making legal battle. A judge upheld the agreement and reduced her support payments, ending their 18-year marriage in 2024.

Yellowstone Exit

Reports of behind-the-scenes drama, including alleged clashes with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, emerged in the run-up to Kevin’s 2024 announcement confirming he’d left the role of patriarch John Dutton on the hit Western drama series before the show’s final run.