Academy Award-winning actor and filmmaker Kevin Costner has publicly acknowledged the emotional difficulty of facing the forthcoming holiday season as a single parent, less than one month after his former spouse, Christine Baumgartner, entered into a new marriage.
In an interview with Us Weekly published Tuesday, the 70-year-old actor stated that he misses celebrating the festive period with his blended family gathered under one roof. Costner remarked, “I’m a bachelor, so I kind of miss those really cute things to do… I have to work especially hard to make sure there’s that stuff that my seven children think about and remember.”
He further noted that as his children have grown older, coordinating family gatherings has become increasingly challenging, saying, “Now you’re just fighting to get them home from college… Just getting together! So, I do the best I can to make it as warm as I can.”
The Dances With Wolves director also released the music video for his 2024 single Find Your Way, accompanied by a public statement acknowledging the emotional difficulties many experience during the holiday season. Costner wrote on Facebook that he understands “how hard the holidays can be for a lot of us,” particularly for those grieving or struggling during a time often characterized by celebration. He added, “If you’re feeling closer to the darkness than the light this year, this song is our prayer for you.”
Mr. Costner finalized his divorce from Ms. Baumgartner in 2024, concluding a 19-year marriage. Pursuant to the settlement, he provides monthly support payments of approximately $63,000 for their three minor children: Cayden (18), Hayes (16), and Grace (15).
On October 18, 2025, Ms. Baumgartner, aged 51, remarried financier Josh Connor in a private ceremony held at Santa Ynez Ranch, California, attended by approximately 100 guests.
Amid personal transitions, Mr. Costner continues professional pursuits, including producing and hosting Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas, a two-hour nativity special directed by David L. Cunningham, set to air on ABC on December 9, 2025. The program will depict the biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Costner’s family includes four additional children from prior relationships: Liam (29) with Bridget Rooney, and Annie (41), Lily (39), and Joe (37) from his 16-year marriage to Cindy Costner, which ended in 1994.
In recent months, media outlets have reported that Mr. Costner has been linked to several public figures, including Kelly Noonan Gores, January Jones, Sharon Stone, and Jewel.
Professionally, he is slated to portray the father-in-law of Jake Gyllenhaal’s character in Honeymoon with Harry, an upcoming Amazon MGM Studios feature film directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.
Mr. Costner remains involved in pending litigation arising from allegations of sexual harassment brought by former stunt performer Devyn LaBella, who claims an alleged unscripted assault occurred during the filming of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2. According to reports from TMZ dated October 30, 2025, Costner has filed an appeal seeking dismissal of the remaining eight claims after two counts were previously dismissed by the court.
The Horizon sequel, a continuation of Costner’s Civil War–era Western epic, premiered at the Venice Film Festival to limited critical reception and modest box office returns. Costner, who invested approximately $38 million of his personal funds to finance the project and mortgaged his Santa Barbara property in the process, has publicly affirmed his commitment to completing subsequent installments of the franchise, stating to Deadline: “I have to hurry and not let the rock fall back downhill… I don’t know how I’m gonna make 3 right now, but I’m gonna make it.”#newsafro_
