Kevin Costner Allegedly Facing Career Struggles As His 'Phone Has Stopped Ringing For Leading-Man Money'

By Favour Adegoke on January 21, 2026 at 9:45 PM EST
Updated on January 21, 2026 at 10:59 PM EST

Kevin Costner at the Governors Awards 2024
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Kevin Costner is reportedly facing struggles in his Hollywood career and finding it challenging to land "leading-man" roles in movies.

This comes after his contentious exit from "Yellowstone," marked with accusations of physical assault against his co-star, Wes Bentley, as well as alleged issues with show creator Taylor Sheridan.

Kevin Costner has also faced several lawsuits in recent times, including a legal fight with a stunt double on his Western epic "Horizon 2," who accused him of sexual harassment.

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Kevin Costner's Acting Career Is Facing 'A Polite Decline Mode,' Source Claims

Kevin Costner attends the 2025 Fanatics Fest- Day 1
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The past couple of years have been quite rough for Kevin Costner, after he made headlines for several wrong reasons.

Back in 2023, he went through a very public and heartbreaking split from his wife of 18 years, Christine Baumgartner. The following year, he controversially exited hit show "Yellowstone," after which reports claimed he lunged at castmate Wes Bentley, as well as got involved in a "power struggle" with Taylor Sheridan.

His woes compounded after The Hollywood Reporter released a scathing exposé titled "How Kevin Lost Hollywood," where they highlighted the fallout with his castmate and the several lawsuits he has been served.

This and more is what seems to be affecting his standing, with a source telling Us Weekly that Costner is in "a polite decline mode."

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"The Hollywood sentiment toward Kevin is changing and is kind of in a polite decline mode," the insider shared. "There are insurance considerations about too many issues on set. No one's blackballing him, but the phone has stopped ringing for leading-man money."

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The Actor Believes 2026 Is His 'Redemption Year'

Hollywood star Kevin Costner at the Blythswood Hotel, Glasgow, and almost hit by a bus while out in Glasgow. 21.08.2023.
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Despite what seems to be a career decline, the 71-year-old star has reportedly set his sights on making a comeback in 2026, with a source saying he has been feeling "introspective" over the past few years since his split from his ex-wife, Baumgartner.

"This period of life has been a huge adjustment for Kevin," a second source told the news outlet.

"Kevin has spent the last year trying to figure out what's next for him," the insider explained, adding that "he's embracing the journey."

"He's telling his inner circle that 2026 is his redemption year," one source noted.

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Kevin Costner Is Eager To Get Back To Acting

Kevin Costner at SNL50: The Anniversary Special
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Costner's "introspective" efforts couldn't be coming at a better time,  as reports suggest the negative press has been eating away at him, even though he knows how to dissociate himself from the never-ending talks.

"Kevin was devastated and furious [after reading the THR story]. He cares way more than he lets on," a source told the news outlet.

They continued, "I don't think the THR piece would have a huge impact on Kevin. He's taken so many hits through the years, and he doesn't engage with the press or pay attention to it, really."

True to his hardworking nature, Costner is understood to be plotting a comeback with reports suggesting he has been tapped to play former President Bill Clinton in a political drama series titled "United."

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The Oscar Winner 'Needs To Work' After Investing Much Of His Own Money Into His 'Horizon' Films, Which Flopped

Kevin Costner attends "Horizon: An American Saga" Photocall - The 77th Annual Cannes Film Festival
KCS Presse / MEGA

After investing a lot of money into his film franchise, "Horizon," a source said Costner now "needs to work."

They noted that the critical and commercial failure of his Western films hit the actor hard, coupled with his expensive divorce from Baumgartner.

The second source who spoke to Us Weekly added that Costner "has a lot of expenses and has spent a lot of his money."

They explained that the actor has been expressing how he "does not have the money people think he has," and can't wait to be back in Hollywood, "doing the work he's known for."

Inside Kevin Costner's New 'Grounding' Relationship With Kelly Noonan Gores

Kevin Costner at the Golden Globe Awards
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Costner's new romance with Kelly Noonan Gores seems to be a bright spot for the actor. The pair met each other through mutual friends, with reports suggesting they started dating casually in August.

Now, sources claim their bond has been a "grounding" force in his life, adding that he's "not looking for a serious relationship or marriage any time soon."

The pair continues to keep their romance "private and casual," with sources noting that he's being "cautious" after what happened with Baumgartner.

He's also understood to be on "better terms" with his ex-wife, months after she married his former pal and neighbor, Josh Connor.

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"He's happy for her, and he's trying to keep things positive for the kids' sake," a source said, with another adding that he has "moved on" but "part of him remains resentful of the situation and wishes they could have made it work. It stings that she remarried, but he tries not focus on it."

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