The Worth of a Star: Decoding Cole Hauser’s Earnings on ‘Yellowstone’

Blending a great story with an amazing cast is the fastest way to getting a show off the ground, but so few can actually make this happen. Thankfully, shows like Yellowstone are able to come along and show the world just how potent this combination can be.

The show’s cast came from wildly different backgrounds, and thanks to the show being a success, they have all increased their net worths by helping tell this amazing story.

We have learned that the network is giving Kevin Costner top dollar, but how much are other actors, like Cole Hauser making for their time on the show? Let’s take a look at Yellowstone, and see how much Cole Hauser is making to play Rip Wheeler.

‘Yellowstone’ Is A Hit Show

In case you have somehow missed it over the last few years, Yellowstone has become one of the most popular shows on all of TV. This is Thanksgiving bringing high quality content, exceptional storytelling, and fantastic character acting in each episode.

Starring Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Riley, and more, Yellowstone has been a smash hit neo-western for several years now. Shows like this are exceptionally difficult to craft, but creators Taylor Sheridan and John Linson have done a brilliant job with the show.

When speaking on what has made the show such a success, Kevin Costner said, “You take my dysfunctional family, you put them right in the middle of the most beautiful mountains and rivers and valleys and put them on horses. Some of that silliness will go away, but some of it we just secretly love to hear. It has been a good ride so far. We’ll see where it goes.” Yellowstone has many great elements working for it, including the exceptional performance turned in each episode by actor Cole Hauser.

Cole Hauser Is Great As Rip Wheeler

Since the show’s debut, actor Cole Hauser has been brilliantly playing the character Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone. Hauser wasn’t exactly a household name prior to landing on the show, but during Yellowstone’s four seasons on the air, he’s made a name for himself with audiences everywhere.

It’s clear that the actor understands and appreciates his character, and this really show in his performance. Prior to the show’s most recent season, Hauser opened up about his character, saying, “I think Rip is … before everybody gets hurt and almost killed, I think he’s in that place of happiness, you know. He’s doing what he wants to do, he’s been given this wonderful cabin by John. He’s in love, he’s ranching and doing the only thing he knows and loves to do. So I think prior to this cliffhanger in Season 3, and these kind of near-death experiences for all these characters, I think he’s about as happy as he’s ever been.”
It’s been a treat watching Hauser play Rip Wheeler for four seasons, and fans are ready to see what he has in store moving forward.

Yellowstone still has a lot of story to tell, and because Hauser has been so great in the role, he is making a ton of money.

Cole Hauser Making Bank On The Show

So, how much is Cole Hauser making as Rip Wheeler on the show? Well, according to Life & Style, Hauser, alone with a number of his co-stars are all earning in the millions each season.

“Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton), Luke Grimes (Kayce Dutton), Wes Bentley (Jamie Dutton), Kelsey Asbille (Monica Dutton) and Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler) are estimated to make around $200,000 per episode of Yellowstone, per Cinema Blend. That adds up to a sweet $2 million per season for the show’s 10 episodes,” the publication reports.

It is pretty amazing to see that the folks behind the scenes are ensuring that their primary cast is taken care of. Of course, Kevin Costner is the biggest name on the show, so it makes complete and total sense that he would be the one commanding the highest salary, coming in at a whopping $500,000 per episode. Television head Kevin Kay talked about paying his stars a premium salary.

“The statement we wanted to make was that we’re open for business and we’re willing to pay top-tier actors whatever their quotes are. It sends a message and that’s what we want to do.” Costner also receives an executive producer credit on the show,” Kay said.
Yellowstone is achieving incredible things thanks to the work of its cast and crew, and it’s nice to see that they are paying their actors a premium for their services.