Cole Hauser: The Real-Life Nice Guy Behind Yellowstone’s Tough Rip Wheeler

Rip Wheeler Is a Tough Cookie, But Cole Is Not

On a TV show called Yellowstone, there is a pretend character named Rip Wheeler (played by an actor named Cole Hauser). Rip likes to solve problems with a branding iron (a hot metal stick used to mark cows) and a Winchester rifle (a type of gun). He might even get mad if you looked at his wife Beth the wrong way!

But guess what? The real Cole Hauser is nothing like that. He is much more gentle and kind.

• Cole has openly talked about a surprise challenge he had with his weight while filming on the ranch set (called "Dutton Ranch"). This shows he doesn’t walk around with Rip’s tough-guy attitude in real life.
• His coworkers say he is one of the warmest, most lovable people on the set.

Important: Even though Rip can be scary on TV, the man who plays him is friendly and sweet when the cameras are off!

What His Co-Stars Say About Cole

Lots of people who work with Cole have shared happy thoughts about him:

• Kelly Reilly (she plays Beth, Rip’s wife on the show) told Looper in December 2021 that Cole is "my buddy" and a close friend. She said, "We really feel blessed" to play these characters and added, "We don’t take it for granted. And we support each other and have fun."
• Finn Little (he plays the couple’s adopted son) told Country Living that Kelly and Cole never tell him exactly how to act in a scene. He said being around them helps him learn: "I think you just pick up things after a while."
• Marc Menchaca (a new actor on the show) remembered a relaxed, joke-filled set with none of the stress he expected. "There was a lot of laughter behind the scenes," he said about working with Cole.
• Jefferson White (who plays Jimmy) joked to US Weekly that Cole might seem like "the scariest guy on set" at first. But then he admired him: "Rip is such a leader, but Cole is also such a leader. He’s always making sure we have what we need to do our job. I really look up to him in that way."

Everyone Loves Rip — Even Though They Thought We Wouldn’t

Because Rip has a dark past and does some rough things, Cole and the show’s creator Taylor Sheridan first thought viewers would dislike him.

• Cole told People magazine that when women fans said, "Oh my God, I love your character," he joked, "What’s wrong with you?" But that was before he understood Rip’s hidden charm.
• Most fans see a good heart inside the tough guy, and Rip became one of TV’s most adored characters.

Important: Cole expected people to hate Rip, but instead everyone fell in love with him — both on screen and because Cole is so kind off screen!

Off Camera, Cole Is Like a Big Brother

Cole spoke with Drew Barrymore about his friend Kelly Reilly. He said, "In between takes, her and I are like brother and sister."

It turns out that when the cameras stop rolling, Cole acts like a caring big brother to everyone on the cast.

Want to Read More?

The original story also points to other fun reads and ways to follow the news:

• Learn about why Cole faced an unexpected weight challenge on "Dutton Ranch"
• Read Kelly Reilly’s chat with Looper about Cole
• See Finn Little and Marc Menchaca’s thoughts in Country Living
• Check out Cole’s surprise at fans loving Rip via People
• Watch Jefferson White’s US Weekly interview
• Hear Cole’s Drew Barrymore conversation
• Explore what Cole thinks about his role on Yellowstone and his off-screen bond with Kelly
• Wondering about another star? Read Why You Don’t Hear About Meg White Anymore
• If you liked this, you can sign up for a free newsletter with more celebrity news, or add the site as a preferred search source or follow them on Google.
• You can always read the original article on The List.

Summary

Cole Hauser plays a very tough cowboy named Rip on Yellowstone, but in real life he is warm, supportive, and funny. His co-stars love him like family. He once thought fans would hate Rip because of his rough ways, but everyone ended up loving the character. Off set, Cole is like a big brother to the whole cast.

FAQ

Q1: Who is Cole Hauser?
A1: He is the actor who plays Rip Wheeler on the TV show Yellowstone. Rip is a rough, brave cowboy, but Cole is a kind real-life person.

Q2: Is Cole Hauser like Rip Wheeler in real life?
A2: No! Rip uses guns and hot irons to solve problems, but Cole laughs a lot, supports his friends, and acts like a big brother to the cast.

Q3: What did Kelly Reilly say about Cole?
A3: She said he is her "buddy" and a close friend. They feel lucky to work together, support each other, and have fun.

Q4: Why did Cole think people would hate Rip?
A4: Because Rip has a dark past and does some scary things, Cole and the show creator thought viewers would find him unlikable. Fans surprised them by loving him.

Q5: Where can I learn more about Cole and the show?
A5: You can read the original article on The List (link above) or check out the linked interviews with People, Looper, and Country Living.