Few actors can make a successful jump from the front of the camera to behind it. While stars like Ben Affleck have navigated this transition, Taylor Sheridan has proved that he isn’t far behind. The star who became a recognizable face on television in shows like Sons of Anarchy and Veronica Mars, found his true calling as a writer with his hugely popular series,Yellowstone.
The actor-turned-director also had the knack of getting the best out of his stars, even if it meant employing unconventional ways to do so. Cole Hauser who became very popular for his portrayal of the rough and tough Rip Wheeler in the series, was involved with Sheridan in a physical fight in only their second meeting together for the show, which turned out to be for the best.
This Yellowstone Star Got Into Character Right Away With Taylor Sheridan
Apart from Kevin Costner who headlined Taylor Sheridan’s hit western seriesYellowstone, the show also benefited from other impressive acting performances which included Cole Hauser’s Rip Wheeler. The character who is a strong and unrelenting ‘fixer’ for the Dutton family, is also seen as someone who is extremely loyal and protective of the people he cares about.
For Hauser, this role was almost like an extension of his growing years, having been born in a ranch near Santa Barbara where he learnt to ride horses from a young age. A tough childhood with a father who struggled with alcohol and drugs saw him move to LA to try his hand at acting.
This journey was a challenging one which Hauser pursued with determination before landing his big break in School Ties, that then led to him gaining more recognition in the Ben Affleck starrer, Dazed and Confused. The role of Rip Wheeler, while right down his alley, was still difficult to prepare for as he had to take intense horse riding lessons despite already having experience in the field.
In addition, the actor also had to channel his fighter instincts for the character, which is where his director Sheridan came into the picture. In an interview with Men’s Journal, the filmmaker revealed that he attempted an unconventional way of getting Hauser into character by bringing up his past experiences. This led to both celebrities actually exchanging blows, albeit without malice, during their second encounter with each other.
The School Ties star for his part, while not talking about his blows with Sheridan directly, revealed that he was no stranger to bar fights during his early years. The actor also believed that sometimes, this was an easier way to get the issue sorted out and let bygones be bygones.
I’ve probably been in one on every continent. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with fighting. Sometimes I’m just tired of words, so let’s beat the s**t out of each other. Maybe at the end of it you’ll buy me a Guinness and I’ll buy you a Bushmills, and we’ll be done. It’s kind of what guys do.
As it turned out, the exchange of fists between Hauser and Sheridan resulted in Yellowstone’s Rip Wheeler becoming a favorite among audiences, especially women.
Taylor Sheridan Was The Perfect Mentor For Hugh Dillon
Cole Hauser is not the only star who benefited from Taylor Sheridan’s inputs. Actor Huge Dillion who starred in Yellowstone as Sheriff Donnie Baskell, took his relationship with the director a step further by collaborating with him as a writer and creator on the thriller series Mayor Of Kingstown. The show starring Jeremy Renner in the lead role, also saw Dillon in front of the camera once again wearing the detective cloak.
The series which impressed audiences and critics in its first two seasons, returned for a 3rd season on June 2nd, 2024. In an interview with Screen Rant, Dillon spoke about many aspects of the show including the complexities and nuances of his character and his relationship to the central protagonist.
He also touched upon his relationship with Sheridan from his Yellowstone days to the current Paramount series. The Canadian singer-turned-actor was all praise for the Sons of Anarchy star and his influence in his evolution as a writer. Speaking of how Sheridan consistently mentored him through this process, he said,
He’s always been my teacher, he was my coach before he was the Taylor Sheridan of the Taylorverse, and this was the first show he ever wrote. I went over to his house with a printer and said, ‘You can find the character and find the motivation. You can build the world and all of it. You can write this’.
I’m from a town that had nine penitentiaries, and I’m a songwriter, so I would write these little haikus and songs. And he coached me.
Dillon also recalled how the Veronica Mars star would constantly encourage him to follow his dreams of becoming a writer, which eventually led to him putting pen to paper. He also spoke about the organic nature of their collaboration that resulted in a wonderful working relationship with Sheridan.
All 5 seasons of Yellowstone can be streamed on Peacock.
