Cole Hauser has been a Hollywood star for decades. And with credits in high-profile projects like Good Will Hunting, School Ties, and 2 Fast, 2 Furious, he's certainly a recognizable face from his work on the big screen. But things escalated and his fame reached new heights when he took on the role of Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone.
The Paramount Network drama is the most-watched show on cable, with the season 4 finale reaching 11 million viewers. Rip is a fan-favorite, and viewers are particularly invested in the character's romantic storyline with Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly). It's not surprising that the actor gets plenty of attention when he's out in public, but interactions with his fans still surprise him.
In an interview with Men's Journal, Cole explains an exchange that he will never forget. "I was sitting at the rodeo, and this woman comes up to me with her brand-new baby — and she says to me, 'This is Rip.' I’d seen a couple of girls tattoo him on their arms, but this was something else. Taylor and I just looked at each other. We both felt honored. I mean, that was pretty cool.”
While Cole was surprised by this development, fans of the show may not be. The Yellowstone Instagram account has a highlight devoted to photos babies and pets named after the show's characters. There are plenty of Rips, Duttons, Tates, Teeters, Kayces, and more. Maybe they'll all be lucky enough to meet their namesakes too!
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers gift guides, product reviews, crafts, and TV shows like Yellowstone. She’s currently stitching up a cross-stitch pattern for the magazine’s next issue
