Kevin Costner's Age During Silverado Filming
Kevin Costner was born on January 18, 1955. The movie Silverado was released in 1985, which means Kevin Costner was 30 years old during principal photography and release. This places him in his early thirties when he portrayed the lead role of Emmett, a drifter who arrives in the frontier town of Silverado.
Silverado marked a significant early milestone in Kevin Costner's career, showcasing him as a leading man in a major Western ensemble. At age 30, he was already transitioning from supporting roles to starring positions, a shift that would accelerate with the release of his subsequent box office successes. The film's production timeline aligns precisely with his 30th year of life, confirming his exact age on screen.
Silverado Cast and Production Details
The 1985 Western featured an ensemble cast including Scott Glenn, Danny Glover, and Kevin Kline. Kevin Costner's character, Emmett, is a central figure who helps a group of settlers fight against a corrupt land developer. The production was directed by Lawrence Kasdan and filmed on location in multiple Southwestern states, capturing the authentic landscape of the American frontier.
Production for Silverado began in 1984, when Kevin Costner was 29, and concluded before his 30th birthday in January 1985. The film's budget was approximately $26 million, a substantial investment for a Western at the time. The movie grossed over $32 million domestically, performing solidly for a genre that was seeing a revival in the mid-1980s. For more background on the film's financial performance, see the Box Office Mojo page for Silverado.
Kevin Costner's Career Trajectory Post-Silverado
Following Silverado, Kevin Costner's career accelerated dramatically with the release of his breakout role in the 1987 film The Big Chill. By the time he starred in the 1990 epic Dances with Wolves, he was 35 years old and had established himself as a bankable star capable of both acting and directing. This progression from Silverado to Dances with Wolves demonstrates a clear, rapid rise in his Hollywood standing.
Today, Kevin Costner remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, with continuing projects in film and television. His age during Silverado is a specific data point that contextualizes his early career within the broader timeline of his decades-long work in Hollywood. Understanding his 30-year-old performance in this Western provides a factual anchor for discussions of his filmography and the evolution of the modern Western genre. Additional context on his long-term career can be found in his IMDb biography.