Born in Lynwood, CA; educated at California State University, Fullerton (business administration, marketing). Handsome, amiable leading man with a stoic, expressive deadpan style. Costner was cast by Lawrence Kasdan as the dead friend Alex, to be fondly remembered in flashbacks in THE BIG CHILL (1983), Costner's performance ended up on the cutting room floor. In recompense Kasdan gave him a prominent and flashy role in the action-packed Western SILVERADO (1985), as Jake, the wild kid gunfighter. Costner cemented his reputation as a popular romantic lead and a major Hollywood star with solid performances in Roger Donaldson's political thriller, NO WAY OUT (1987), Ron Shelton's steamy baseball romance, BULL DURHAM (1988) and Phil Alden Robinson's sentimental baseball fantasy, FIELD OF DREAMS (1989). Equally comfortable in a variety of genres, his aura of straightforward common virtue has made him a Gary Cooper of our times. Costner made an assured directing debut with the richly detailed if lengthy and somewhat overindulgent DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990). The film was a surprise blockbuster and a landmark in the representation of American Indians in Hollywood. It went on to win seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner. Firmly established as one of the biggest box-office draws of the 90s, he has continued to attract sizeable audiences to his films, whether critically lauded (JFK, 1991) or otherwise (ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES, 1991, THE BODYGUARD, 1992). Costner abandoned his patented stoic heroic persona for the Clint Eastwood-directed A PERFECT WORLD (1993). Here portraying a charismatic but mentally unbalanced escaped con who kidnaps a young boy and takes him on a wild road trip, Costner displayed a roguish charm and dangerous edge that had been missing in his performances since his early work (SILVERADO, BULL DURHAM). Though the film garnered mixed reviews and only moderate box-office returns, his performance was widely cited as the best of his career. Costner brought a new spin to the legendary sheriff in WYATT EARP (1994, which he also co-produced), emphasizing the simple family man whose early loss of a young wife had a strong influence on his later career as a lawman. It was a role well-suited to the icy distance Costner can bring to a performance. Family was also a strong theme in THE WAR (1994) with Costner playing a returning Vietnam-era vet who seeks to build a better life for his wife and children. In a supporting role, Costner plays a tortured soul trying to teach his young son the value of lessons he learned during the war. Even with the Costner drawing power neither WYATT EARP or THE WAR attracted much box office activity. Costner finished off 1994 as co-producer of the period adventure RAPA NUI, a box office flop. In early 1995 Costner wrapped WATERWORLD which he also produced. The film, rumored to be the costliest ever made, was a post- apocalypse MAD MAX on water. Industry wags were already referring to it as "Kevin's Gate" and "Fishtar" before filming ended. Other recent notable credits include TIN CUP (1996), THE POSTMAN (1997, also producer & director), MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE (also director) and FOR LOVE OF THE GAME (both 1999), THIRTEEN DAYS (2000, also producer), 3000 MILES TO GRACELAND (2001), DRAGONFLY (2002), OPEN RANGE (2003, also producer & director), THE UPSIDE OF ANGER and RUMOR HAS IT (both 2005), THE GUARDIAN (2006), MR. BROOKS (2007, also producer), SWING VOTE (scheduled for 2008, also producer), and THE NEW DAUGHTER (scheduled for 2009).  Best Picture of the Year 1990: DANCES WITH WOLVES - Producer at Tig (w. Jim Wilson)  Best Achievement in Directing 1990: DANCES WITH WOLVES  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 1990: DANCES WITH WOLVES 3 nominations, 2 Awards