Donnie Wahlberg Gets It: Cole Hauser is the Underrated Star Yellowstone Fans Already Love
If you're a Yellowstone fan, you didn't need Donnie Wahlberg to tell you Cole Hauser is something special. We've all seen Rip Wheeler command the screen, whether he's fiercely protecting the Duttons or sharing those quiet, intense moments with Beth. But hey, when one TV star shouts out another, especially calling them "underrated," it definitely makes you sit up and pay attention – and maybe feel a little smug that you knew it all along.
The Tweet Heard 'Round the Ranch
A couple of months back, Donnie Wahlberg, the guy we know and love from Blue Bloods (and, let's not forget, New Kids on the Block!), casually mentions on Twitter that Yellowstone is basically one of his favorite shows ever. The official Yellowstone account slid into the replies with a bit of fun banter, and Wahlberg didn't just reply – he dropped a truth bomb.
He called Cole Hauser's performance "the most underrated on television." Boom. He didn't stop there, giving props to the whole cast and the sharp writing, but singling out Hauser? That got people talking.
Getting to Know Rip Wheeler (As If You Didn't Already!)
For those living under a rock (or maybe just not into sprawling Montana ranch dramas), Cole Hauser is Rip Wheeler. He's John Dutton's (Kevin Costner) unwavering right-hand man, the fixer, the loyal muscle with a surprisingly deep well of emotion lurking beneath that stoic exterior. And his relationship with Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly)? Epic. Intense. The kind of complicated love story that keeps you glued to the screen.
More Than Just a Hat and a Growl: Hauser's Dedication
Playing Rip isn't just about donning a cowboy hat and perfecting a menacing stare (though Hauser does both exceptionally well). The guy committed. We're talking dyeing his naturally lighter hair that signature Rip black, hitting the gym hard, and really diving into the physical demands of ranch life – riding, roping, working cattle. You believe he can do all that stuff because, well, he put in the work.
But it's more than just looking the part. Rip's a walking contradiction – tough as nails one minute, capable of surprising tenderness the next. He carries a lifetime of trauma and loyalty in his eyes, and Hauser conveys that complex history often without saying a single word. That's the kind of acting Wahlberg was talking about.
"The most underrated performance on television." - Donnie Wahlberg on Cole Hauser
A Gut Feeling: How Hauser Chose Rip Over a Dutton Son
Here’s a fascinating tidbit: Hauser almost didn’t play Rip! In an interview on the Ryen Russillo podcast back in March, he shared how Yellowstone co-creator John Linson basically offered him his pick of roles, but didn't specify which one. Initially, Hauser's team was pushing him towards playing one of the Dutton sons. Makes sense, right? Bigger roles, more screen time on paper.
But Hauser? He wasn't feeling it. None of the Dutton sons clicked for him. Instead, his eye caught on this seemingly smaller part – John Dutton's loyal enforcer.
"The one that jumped out at me was Rip," Hauser said. "They were like, 'Are you serious? It's just a couple of scenes in the pilot.' But I told them, 'There's something special about this character, I can feel it.'"
Talk about trusting your instincts! What seemed like a minor role blossomed into one of the show's most pivotal and beloved characters. Pretty cool, right?
Wait, Rip Was in That?! Hauser's Surprising Road to Yellowstone
It's funny how we can sometimes box actors into their most famous roles. Seeing Hauser as the rugged, intense Rip, it might blow your mind to remember him way back when. Remember the laid-back Benny O'Donnell in the cult classic Dazed and Confused? Or his role alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in Good Will Hunting? Yep, that was him.
His range is pretty impressive. More recently, he's tackled roles like an inspiring coach in The Last Champion and he's got a new action flick called Panama on the horizon. In Panama, he plays a former Marine caught up in an arms deal and political chaos during a real-life U.S. invasion. Directed by Mark Neveldine (who knows his way around an action scene), it sounds like we'll see Hauser flex some different muscles – maybe even on a motorcycle.
So, while Donnie Wahlberg's shout-out definitely turned up the volume on the Cole Hauser appreciation train, it's something Yellowstone fans have known for seasons. It's great to see him getting that wider recognition. Whether he's breaking hearts (and bones) on the ranch or tackling gritty action roles, Hauser brings a compelling presence to the screen. And "underrated"? Maybe not for much longer.
