Inside Kevin Costner’s Biggest Hollywood Paydays: Top 5 Ranked

Kevin Costner’s financial success in Hollywood is the stuff of legend. With an estimated net worth of $200 million in 2025, his earnings have been a hot topic, especially during his high-profile divorce. Court documents once pegged his wealth at $400 million, and his ex-wife claimed he was pulling in $1.53 million a month, with family expenses topping $550,000 monthly. Costner’s wealth comes from a mix of blockbuster movie salaries, TV deals, and a robust real estate portfolio. From the early ‘90s, he’s been among the industry’s top earners, thanks to a string of box office hits and a recent surge from television.

Waterworld ( 1995): $14 Million and a Rocky Ride

Costner famously turned down the lead in The Shawshank Redemption to reunite with director Kevin Reynolds for Waterworld. Set in a world submerged by melted ice caps, Costner played the mysterious Mariner. The production was plagued by delays, ballooning from a planned 96 days to 150, and the budget soared from $100 million to $175 million. Tensions between Costner and Reynolds boiled over, straining their friendship for years. He earned $14 million for the role, but the film initially flopped, losing millions for Universal. Despite the rocky start, Waterworld eventually turned a profit through home video and TV rights. During filming, Costner was also dealing with a divorce from Cindy Silva, which reportedly cost him $80 million.

The Bodyguard (1992): $20–$30 Million for a Box Office Smash

Starring alongside Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard, Costner played Frank, a former Secret Service agent hired to protect a superstar from a stalker. Critics weren’t kind, but audiences flocked to theaters, and the film grossed $411 million on a $25 million budget. Costner’s payday landed between $20 million and $30 million. He even delayed production for a year to accommodate Houston’s schedule. The film’s melodramatic style didn’t win over reviewers, but it became a cultural phenomenon and a financial windfall for its stars.

Yellowstone ( 2018–2024): $29.9 Million for a TV Powerhouse

Costner’s role as John Dutton in Yellowstone made him the highest-paid actor on television. He started at $500,000 per episode in 2018, but by Season 5, his salary had climbed to $1.3 million per episode. Over 47 episodes, he earned nearly $30 million. Creative clashes with showrunner Taylor Sheridan led to his exit before the series wrapped, but not before he left a major mark on the TV landscape. Costner also served as an executive producer, further boosting his earnings from the show.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991): $40 Million and a Profit Share

Costner’s turn as the legendary outlaw in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves brought him a massive payday. He reportedly earned $40 million, thanks to a deal that included a percentage of the film’s profits. The movie, despite some criticism of Costner’s accent, was a box office juggernaut, pulling in $390.5 million worldwide. Years later, Costner even sued for additional profit shares, claiming he hadn’t received his full 15 percent cut.

Dances With Wolves (1990): $50 Million and Oscar Glory

Costner’s directorial debut, Dances With Wolves, was a gamble that paid off in spades. He invested his own money and took the director’s chair after others passed on the project. While his initial salary was just $3 million, his total earnings soared to $50 million as the film became a critical and commercial triumph. It grossed $424.2 million globally and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner. His success with this film cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s top earners.