Today is a big day. On this day, March 22, 1975, a legend was born. Yes, we said legend. Cole Hauser, our beloved Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone, celebrates his 46th birthday.
Odds are that you’d seen Cole Hauser in movies well before he was rocking a cowboy hat and beard on Yellowstone. However, his career skyrocketed after taking on the role of the tough-as-nails cowboy Rip.
Hauser was born into the entertainment industry with a long line of family members that worked as producers and actors.
Cole Hauser first appeared in the hit 1992 film School Ties alongside notable actors like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. He next had a role in Richard Linklater’s Cult Classic Dazed and Confused.
The 46-year old actor has gone on to star in at least 35 films throughout his career.
Today, Cole Hauser finds himself in the mountains in Montana filming Yellowstone. The star sports a pair of chaps and portrays Rip Wheeler, who serves as a loyal and bad*ss foreman while on the Dutton Ranch.
Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler
Let’s dive into some of Rip’s best moments. One of our favorite pastimes.
Some background on the lovely character is that he was brought up with an abusive father that killed his family until Rip turned around and killed him. Kevin Costner’s John Dutton took him in as a teenager to work on the Yellowstone. He has called the property home ever since.
Naturally, he fell in love with his boss’s daughter, and the two have been in this toxic on and off relationship since. Don’t get us wrong, we absolutely love Beth and Rip together, but they are like fire and gasoline.
In addition, Rip Wheeler is someone on the ranch that you don’t want to cross. In the lovely words of Cole Hauser’s character, “If you are going to fight anyone, you fight me.”
Hard pass.
Our absolute favorite moment involving Hauser’s character has to be when Rip barges in to save Beth, who was being attacked in her office. Our beloved cowboy takes a few bullets to the torso but isn’t phased. The two attackers stood no chance.
Other Beth and Rip moments that make us possibly shed a few tears were when Beth proposed to Rip, the two dance to “Lady May’ in the field, and their “first date” drinking in the park while watching the wolves.
Watch their highlight reel here.
Something about a tough man that has such a soft for a girl just melts us inside.
Anyway, happy birthday, Cole Hauser! We hope your day is filled with family, love, and whiskey!
