Cole Hauser is a successful actor, most recently notable for playing the lovable, rugged cowboy Rip Wheeler on the series Yellowstone. Hauser's character has a rough-and-tumble exterior, and his childhood was far from ideal. After he killed his abusive stepfather, he was found and unofficially adopted into John Dutton's cowboy family. As he grew into an adult, his fierce loyalty and commitment to the ranch became evident from the numerous favors and beatings he took to defend the ranch.
His softer side comes out when he is around the love of his life, Beth. Even though he didn't have positive father figures in his life, he winds up mentoring a young troubled boy who finds his way to the ranch, just like Rip did years ago.
In Hauser's real life off-screen, he has embraced fatherhood, having three children with his wife, Cynthia Daniel. He married her in 2006, though the pair has been together since the '90s. In an interview with People, Hauser said, "We've been together for 25 years. Through so many wonderful ups and downs as relationships do. We've stayed strong together and just battled through everything and still love each other." Even though Hauser loves his time on Yellowstone, the months away from his family while shooting can be tough.
Hauser's fatherly role extends to more than just his immediate family. For the past 20 years, Hauser has worked with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The organization provides educational scholarships to servicemembers' children who have lost a family member. Regarding his involvement, Hauser said, "I'm a big fan of second chances. You know, for kids when they lose a family member, it's a huge loss for them."
It's clear Hauser strives to be an active father with all three of his (almost grown) kids. Let's meet the Hauser crew.
Ryland Hauser
Instagram/ColeHauser22
The eldest of the bunch is Hauser's son Ryland (18), who has just graduated high school. Ryland takes after his father in his physicality, towering at 6-foot-4 over his 6-foot-1 father. Ryland graduated from Jensen Beach High School this spring after transferring to the school during his junior year. He's an avid football player and was the tight end for his school. He was offered positions at three Division I schools for football: Mississippi State, University of North Alabama and Stetson University in Florida. Instead of taking the offers, Ryland will attend Texas Christian University as a full-time student, not as a football player. He'll have the option to walk on as a freshman, but time will tell whether he decides to do that.
His father wasted no time in congratulating his son by posting a picture of him decked in TCU gear on Instagram. Hauser wrote, "So very proud of my firstborn boy. Can't wait to see your next chapter in your life." It's clear Ryland appreciates his parents, as he commented, "Thank you @cynhauser and @colehauser22 for creating me into the man I am today! You have done an amazing job raising me, showing anything is possible if I put my mind to it! Can't wait to go chase my dreams and put words into reality!"
Ryland wasn't always a star football player. He spent his childhood playing basketball and didn't take up football until his eighth grade year. When he wanted to play JV football in ninth grade, he suffered a broken collarbone injury, meaning he could not play. Before his senior year, he transferred to a new school in a new city, all while still honing his football skills. Ryland attributes his work ethic to his dad, who's always pushing him to be great and always work hard to be better.
Being the son of a famous actor isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It comes with the territory that people speculate that Ryland only got football offers due to his name recognition. In regard to the critics, Ryland said, "Sometimes it does bother me. I'm still young. I'm still growing and some of that bothers me. That's my hard work that I put in. For someone to say that it (makes me angry). I'm starting to get better at it and the big thing is just being confident on the field."
Colt Hauser
Instagram/ColeHauser22
The middle child of the bunch, Colt Hauser is the youngest boy of the family. He just turned 15, and while he doesn't have an active social media presence, that doesn't stop his parents from sharing about him. Colt is often seen appearing on the red carpet for his father's premieres. His father sent a touching tribute on Instagram for his 14th birthday, writing, "Thank you @cynhauser for giving birth on this day to such a amazing soul. keep being you @colthauser_ You are rare breed these days."
The slogan "A family that plays together, stays together" seems to ring true, as Colt is often seen joining his family on their adventures. He was seen on the court with his family for a Warriors championship basketball game. Back in 2021, Colt was pictured flying "the friendly skies" while sitting at the controls of an airplane.
Steely Rose Hauser
Instagram/ColeHauser22
The youngest of the crew and the only daughter in the family is Steely Rose. At only 10 years old, she's following in her older brothers' footsteps in her love of sports. Steely is an avid basketball player and even had a basketball-themed 10th birthday party. She often appears on her parents' Instagram accounts, where they are proud to show off her adventures. It appears Steely may be the family's funny woman, as her mom's birthday tribute stated, "Happy 10th Birthday Steely! There's never a dull moment when your around. Thanks for keeping us laughing. We love you beyond words."
Steely already has a unique style of her own, wearing a gray suit with blue-and-white hightop Nikes and mismatched laces at the Yellowstone Season 5 premiere. Steely is often seen with her family on their travel adventures to Italy, Wyoming, and even to the Yellowstone Ranch.
It appears Steely is the apple of her father's eye, as her mother called the two "soulmates" in a touching Instagram post. Lest mom feels left out, Steely apparently shares the love between the two. In a recent photo, Steely was seen cuddling up with her mom while watching the sunset. Steely might have a cowgirl career ahead of her, after spending a week with her dad at the Yellowstone Ranch practicing riding and fishing.
Even though the kids love their dad, they don't love watching his character Rip on Yellowstone. Steely especially doesn't like her dad's on-screen antics with his on-screen wife, Beth. In an interview with Us Weekly, Cynthia shared, "I can say our daughter does not like seeing Cole kiss Beth [Kelly Reilly] on this show. It makes her really uncomfortable."
