The Weirdest Kevin Costner Facts Even His Biggest Fans Don't Know

In 2009, Kevin Costner experienced firsthand the tragedy that occurred at Canada's biggest music festival, Big Valley Jamboree, in Alberta. After hearing about a young woman’s death at the festival, Costner and Big & Rich honored her memory. They set out to help raise funds for her two young sons. 

Donna Moore was attending the festival when the weather changed, and the fierce storm caused her injuries that she, unfortunately, succumbed to. Costner and Big & Rich donated $10 from every ticket they sold during their August 25th show in 2009, going into the Donna Moore Memorial Trust Fund. 

In addition to this, Costner auctioned himself off as a dinner date to the highest bidder and donated the funds to the trust. 

If Kevin Costner never got the opportunity to talk with Richard Burton, it's possible he would never have become an actor. At 22, Costner was still debating his career choices. He wasn’t certain that acting was on the cards because becoming an actor would stray very far from the life his family expected him to lead. So whether by luck or destiny, it was fortunate that Costner was on a plane with Burton after his honeymoon with his first wife. Costner said of the meeting:

"He was famously volatile, he was incredibly talented, and he could have easily said, 'Please go sit back in your seat, that's why I bought all these seats around me, so no one would talk to me.' But he didn't do that, and he easily could have.

"[Burton had] a gentleness with me. I was really unsure what I wanted to do with my life, and I saw him there, and I intruded on his. I had never been in a play, well, that's not true I had done some community theater, but I was really thinking I could make this a living and I desperately wanted to talk to him. The conversation never really expanded other than there was a gentleness and a kindness, and looking at me saying, 'I think you should try this.’”

This was the support Costner needed to pursue his dream and take acting seriously. Unfortunately, Burton passed before he got a chance to see how his advice helped Costner pursue his acting dreams. 

Kevin Costner is an avid environmentalist. Not only has he donated millions to environmental efforts, but he also collaborated with former UCLA professor Eric Hoek on a project that helped clean up the BP oil spill in 2010. 

The pair began working together in 2009 when Hoek developed a water system that could clean up contaminated water. When the oil spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, the pair used this same system to help clean up efforts. 

Years later, Costner still supports Hoeks' environmental endeavors and backs his company Water Planet, Inc, specializing in producing smart membrane products. Together Costner and Hoek remain deeply committed to advancing water sustainability efforts through reuse. 

Costner has said, 

It took an environmental disaster to make the connection with Eric and now Water Planet, but I am proud to be involved with a team that is poised to make a fundamental difference for a world seeking solutions; to ensure our water future.

Some of the most famous Hollywood actors and actresses have worked at Disney before becoming famous. For example, Michelle Pfeiffer was employed as Alice from Alice in Wonderland during the 1970s. Kevin Richardson was employed as Aladdin and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle during his stint with Disney. And Disney employed Wayne Brady to play Tigger from Winnie the Pooh when he was 16. 

That’s why it’s unsurprising that Kevin Costner is a former Disney employee. Before Costner was a famous actor, he used to work as a skipper on the Jungle Cruise ride at Disney. It was there that he met his first wife, Cindy Silva, who was employed as Snow White. 

The film Waterworld is largely considered a “bomb” in Hollywood. This is not because the film was terribly written or because Costner’s acting was bad but rather because of how much over budget the film was after production was completed. Even though the film eventually broke even and then years later began turning a profit, many still believe this movie was one of the lowest points in Costner's career. 

Costner doesn’t share this sentiment and has fiercely stood by the film because he has never been ashamed of it. In fact, Costner has often spoken out in defense of Waterworld. He has said, 

“I know that people might think of ‘Waterworld’ as a low point for me. It wasn’t… The thing I know is that I never had to stand taller for a movie when most were going the other way. The movie with all its imperfections was a joy for me, a joy to look back upon and to have participated in.

He also asserted that perhaps critics would see the film differently if they were familiar with the hard work that went into making one. 

The 1990 film Dances with Wolves was a major success for Costner, garnering 12 Academy Award nominations and winning seven - including Best Director for Costner. However, before it was released, many believed the film would flop. Critics dubbed the film “Kevin's gate” in reference to the film Heaven's Gate (that was a huge Hollywood disaster) before its release because they believed it would be unsuccessful and Costner’s last film.

The film defied its low expectations, netting $425 million at the global box office to become the highest-grossing western of all time. Yet this wasn’t the only surprising thing to happen with this film. To the disbelief of some, Costner was honored by the Sioux tribe with honorary membership for his accurate portrayal in the film of how peaceful the day-to-day life of the tribe is.

During his induction ceremony, he received a handwoven quilt and an eagle feather in his hair to further cement the Sioux tribe's respect for him. However, years later, Costner experienced some trouble with the tribe when he bought several hundred acres of sacred land in South Dakota. The Sioux considered the land sacred and did not approve of him wanting to build a resort. In 2013, when development proved too difficult, Costner abandoned his resort plans.