How Old Was Kevin Costner in Open Range
Kevin Costner was 48 years old during the primary production window for the 2003 Western Open Range. Principal photography took place from late summer into fall 2002 in Alberta, Canada, and surrounding regions, meaning he turned 48 in January 2002 and was 48 for most of the shoot, approaching 49 by key release dates in October and November 2003. Below are verified production details that clarify his age in context of filming and release timelines.
Production Timeline and Shooting Schedule
Production timeline and key dates for Open Range place principal photography between August and November 2002 in locations that included Alberta and British Columbia. The film opened in select cities in late October 2003 and had a wide release in early November 2003. This schedule places Costner in his late 4s during the bulk of filming and early 48 at release.
Shoot Calendar and Age Milestones
- Principal photography began late summer 2002, after Costner’s January 1955 birthday, making him 47 at the start and turning 48 during the initial shoot.
- By the time key scenes were filmed in fall 2002, he was 48.
- Theatrical release in October–November 2003 corresponded to ages 48 turning toward 49.
Verified Age and Production Context
Industry sources and production records confirm that Kevin Costner was born on January 18, 1955. With principal photography occurring from August through November 2002, he was 47 at the start of the shoot and 48 for the majority of the film’s principal photography. By the time the movie reached audiences in October and November 2003, he was 48, approaching 49. This context is useful when discussing his physicality and directorial demands during the shoot of the Western.
Kevin Costner at 48: Physical and Creative Demands
At 48, Costner was seasoned by decades of film and television work, bringing a mature command to both performance and large-scale direction. In Open Range, he served as star, director, and producer, balancing actorly nuance with logistical oversight on an epic Western shoot. While not as physically spry as in his 30s, his on-screen presence remained commanding, and he handled many of the film’s demanding outdoor sequences. Below is a concise overview of his role and responsibilities during production at this age.
Role Summary During Open Range
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Age during principal photography (2002) | 47 at start; 48 for majority of shoot | Production records, biographies |
| Age at wide release (November 2003) | 48, approaching 49 | Release calendar |
| Birth date | January 18, 1955 | Public biography |
| Roles on production | Lead actor, director, producer | Film credits |
Contextualizing Costner’s Age in Open Range
Age 48 placed Costner in a professional sweet spot for Open Range. He had enough experience to manage complex Western filmmaking without compromising the physical authenticity of his performance. He performed many of his own horse work and coordinated action set pieces, demonstrating durable energy at an age when many peers step back from hands-on roles. This stage of his career aligned with a deliberate choice to return to epic storytelling, resulting in a film that reflects both his maturity and his commitment to classic Western themes.
Comparative Career Snapshot
Placing his age in Open Range alongside other key career points helps clarify where this project sits in his trajectory. Below is a concise career timeline to frame that context.
Career Milestones Around Open Range
- 1980s: Early breakout roles, establishing leading-man status.
- 1990–2000: Major films including Dances with Wolves (directing debut), The Bodyguard, and A Perfect World.
- 2002–2003: Open Range shoot and release at age 47–48.
- Post-2003: Continued directing and acting in prestige Westerns, epics, and dramas, maintaining relevance into his late career.
Enduring Relevance and Legacy
Kevin Costner’s work on Open Range at age 48 reflects a deliberate commitment to the Western genre and hands-on filmmaking. His ability to lead a large-scale production while delivering a nuanced performance became a talking point among critics and audiences. The question of how old Kevin Costner was in Open Range is best answered as 48 during the film’s key release and 47–48 during production, a stage of career and life where experience and physical capability aligned for one of his most personally driven projects.
Quick Takeaways
- Kevin Costner was 48 years old during the general release of Open Range in late 2003.
- He was 47 at the start and turned 48 during principal photography in 2002.
- Born January 18, 1955, he was in his late 4s while directing and starring in the film.
- He performed many physically demanding scenes himself, underscoring his enduring capability at this stage of his career.
- Open Range stands as a career highlight achieved while balancing actor, director, and producer responsibilities at age 48.