Though he has recently earned the most popularity in his career with his role as Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone, the best of Cole Hauser’s movies and TV shows highlight the strong work he has been doing in a variety of projects over the decades. Hauser is an American actor who has shown his range in everything from young teen roles to playing the villains in blockbusters to stoic antiheroes on the small screen. While some of his roles have become iconic, there are some underseen roles that Hauser fans should seek out.
Hauser’s Hollywood career began with roles as part of young ensembles of up-and-coming actors, in the likes of School Ties and Dazed and Confused. He has appeared in some beloved franchises over the years, including the Fast and Furious franchise and the Die Hard franchise. While he made a strong career as a character actor for many years, Hauser has become a household name thanks to his Rip role, a role which looks to become even bigger as Yellowstone returns for its final season. However, many other movies and TV shows from Hauser’s career highlight his great work.
10 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
As Carter Verone
2 Fast 2 Furious 1
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2 Fast 2 Furious is the second film in the Fast and Furious franchise, and stars Paul Walker and Tyrese Gibson as Brian and Roman, two friends who take an assignment on behalf of the U.S. Government to expunge their criminal records. When the FBI approaches Brian O’Conner due to his street racing skills displayed in the first film, he is offered the chance to erase his criminal record if he can capture nefarious cartel boss Carter Verone.
Director John Singleton Release Date June 5, 2003 Cast Paul Walker , Tyrese Gibson , Eva Mendes , Cole Hauser , Ludacris , Thom Barry Runtime 108 Minutes
Fans of Cole Hauser’s work might have first come to know him from his memorable villain turn in the first sequel of the Fast and Furious franchise. 2 Fast 2 Furious catches up with Paul Walker’s Brian O’Connor, now an outlaw himself after allowing Dom Toretto escape the law. Brian is offered a shot at redemption, partnering with his ex-friend Roman Pierce (Tyrese Gibson) to help the police take down a dangerous crime lord, Carter Verone (Hauser).
2 Fast 2 Furious is generally seen as one of the worst movies in the Fast Saga, with the absence of Vin Diesel noticeable. However, it is still a fun popcorn movie with great chemistry between Walker and Gibson as the buddy action duo. However, Hauser is the highlight of the movie with his suave and oddly charming villain who is nonetheless sadistic and dangerous. Given the franchise’s penchant for bringing people back, and Verone’s promise to get revenge, it is a wonder Hauser hasn’t returned for a Fast and Furious sequel yet.
9 The Break-Up (2006)
As Lupus Grobowski
The Break-Up PG-13ComedyDramaRomance
The Break-Up is a romantic comedy depicting the tumultuous relationship between Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) and Gary (Vince Vaughn). After a series of misunderstandings and quarrels, the couple decides to end their relationship but continues to live together, leading to a series of comedic and emotionally charged interactions. Directed by Peyton Reed, The Break-Up explores themes of love, communication, and the complexities of modern relationships.
Director Peyton Reed Release Date June 2, 2006 Cast Venus Williams , Serena Williams Runtime 106 minutes
Hauser is certainly best known for his tough-guy roles, so it is a lot of fun seeing him get to show off his comedic talents in rare opportunities. One such movie is the rom-com The Break-Up, starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston as a couple going through a break-up but both of them refusing to give up their apartment to the other. It turns the already antagonistic relationship into a battle for who will get the upper hand.
Though The Break-Up received poor reviews upon its release, it has since earned a better reputation as a funny movie that is also a realistic look at a breakup without falling into typical genre clichés. The movie also features a star-studded supporting cast that includes Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, and Hauser as Vaughn’s loudmouth, womanizing brother, Lupus. Hauser is clearly having a lot of fun playing against type, and he earns some big laughs.
8 Like Dandelion Dust (2009)
As Jack Campbell
Another movie that allowed Hauser to play outside his typical roles was the drama Like Dandelion Dust. Based on the novel of the same name by Karen Kingsbury, Like Dandelion Dust stars Barry Pepper as a man who is released from prison and seeking redemption when he finds out that his wife (Mira Sorvino) was forced to give up the son he never knew about for adoption. While the boy has found his own happy life with his adoptive parents (Hauser and Kate Levering), his birth parents attempt to become part of his life.
Like Dandelion Dust is a heartbreaking story that shows the pain and frustration of both sets of parents. The movie does not try to make the audience choose sides but simply presents an emotional situation that neither party can control. Hauser gives a strong performance as a loving father who wants to protect the life he has built with his son.
7 School Ties (1992)
As Jack Connors
School Ties PG-13Drama Where to Watch
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School Ties is a 1992 drama directed by Robert Mandel, featuring Brendan Fraser as David Greene, a talented football player who gains a scholarship to an elite prep school. Set in the 1950s, the film explores issues of class and anti-Semitism as David hides his Jewish heritage to fit in with his peers. The cast includes Matt Damon, Chris O’Donnell, and Ben Affleck as fellow students facing moral dilemmas.
Director Robert Mandel Release Date September 18, 1992 Cast Brendan Fraser , Matt Damon , Chris O’Donnell , Randall Batinkoff , Andrew Lowery , Cole Hauser , Ben Affleck , Anthony Rapp Runtime 106 minutes
Cole Hauser made his feature film debut alongside a number of other future stars in the teen drama School Ties. Set in 1955, the movie stars Brendan Fraser as a working-class young man who accepts a football scholarship to a prestigious prep school. While he becomes a star on the team and a popular student, he is also forced to hide the fact that he’s Jewish from his prejudiced classmates, only for his secret to eventually come out.
The movie served as an early showcase for the likes of Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Hauser, all playing the antisemitic students who attend the school and eventually turn on Fraser’s character. Within the ensemble, Hauser makes an impressive and confident debut as Jack, a talented athlete but a poor student who doesn’t hide his prejudices but also sticks up for Fraser’s character.
6 Tears Of The Sun (2003)
As James “Red” Atkins
Tears of the Sun RActionDramaThrillerWar Where to Watch
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Tears of the Sun is a military action film directed by Antoine Fuqua, featuring Bruce Willis as Lieutenant A.K. Waters. The plot centers on a U.S. Navy SEAL team sent into the Nigerian jungle to rescue Dr. Lena Kendricks, played by Monica Bellucci, amidst a brutal civil war. The mission evolves as Waters encounters moral dilemmas, challenging his orders and sense of duty.
Director Antoine Fuqua Release Date March 7, 2003 Cast Bruce Willis , Monica Bellucci , Cole Hauser , Jimmy Jean-Lous , Eamonn Walker , Johnny Messner Runtime 121 Minutes
Throughout his career, Cole Hauser has found himself starring with Bruce Willis on a number of occasions. However, their collaboration on Tears of the Sun is the best of the bunch. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the movie is set during a civil war in Nigeria and follows a Navy SEAL team, led by Willis, that goes into the hostile territory to find and rescue a group of American missionaries as the rebels descend on them. However, when the missionaries refuse to leave behind the people they are caring for, the soldiers must change their plans.
Hauser plays James “Red” Atkins, the stoic second-in-command in the platoon. It is not a part that requires Hauser to do much beyond his typical action-hero performance, but it is the kind of role he pulls off effortlessly. The real star of the show is Fuqua, who delivers a gripping, intense, and grounded action movie. It is hard-hitting but thrilling film, cementing Fuqua as an action director with his own style.
5 Pitch Black (2000)
As Johns
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Pitch Black is the first installment in the Chronicles of Riddick franchise. Vin Diesel stars as Richard B. Riddick, a criminal with artificially enhanced eyes who helps a group of survivors fight off a race of aliens after crashing on a desert planet.
Director David Twohy Release Date February 18, 2000 Cast Claudia Black , Vin Diesel , Keith David , Cole Hauser , Radha Mitchell Runtime 109 minutes
Though Cole Hauser happened to star in one of the only Fast and Furious movie that Vin Diesel did not appear in, he did end up starring alongside the actor in another of his franchises. Pitch Black is the first of the three Riddick movies that Diesel has starred in, introducing the intergalactic warrior as an outlaw being transported across the cosmos on a transport vessel that crashes on a seemingly barren planet. However, the survivors soon discover that the planet’s deadly creatures come out and hunt when the sun goes down.
Hauser plays Johns, a bounty hunter who is transporting Riddick. The movie has a fun reveal midway through the movie when it is revealed that the seemingly heroic lawman, Johns, is actually a self-serving villain while the outlaw, Riddick, is the one who might save the day. While Pitch Black is the smallest scale of the Riddick movies, it remains the best one to date, offering a solid creature feature with a memorable antihero.
4 Tigerland (2000)
As Staff Sergeant Cota
Tigerland RDramaWar Where to Watch
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Tigerland is a war drama directed by Joel Schumacher, set in 1971 during the final days of the Vietnam War. The film follows a rebellious soldier, played by Colin Farrell, who is undergoing training at a Louisiana boot camp known as Tigerland before being deployed to Vietnam. As he clashes with authority, the soldier’s defiance impacts his fellow trainees, challenging their beliefs and transforming their experience.
Director Joel Schumacher Release Date October 6, 2000 Cast Colin Farrell , Matthew Davis , Clifton Collins Jr. , Tom Guiry , Shea Whigham , Russell Richardson , Nick Searcy , Afemo Omilami , James MacDonald , Keith Ewell , Matt Gerald , Stephen Fulton , Tyler Cravens , Michael Edmiston , Arian Ash , Haven Gaston Expand
Tigerland served as a big breakthrough for Colin Farrell, but it is also a standout movie for Cole Hauser. The movie follows a group of soldiers going through basic training before being sent off to fight in the Vietnam War. Farrell plays Bozz, a rebellious young soldier who pushes back against the demeaning aspects of the military while also helping several of his fellow soldiers find loopholes that allow them to escape deployment to the war.
Hauser is only introduced in the third act of the movie but makes a strong impression. His character of Staff Sergeant Cota leads the final portion of the training before the soldiers ship out. He is also the commanding officer who is able to get through to Bozz the most, as he is stern yet compassionate to the soldiers whom he wants to help have the best chance of survival. Despite limited screen time, Hauser’s reserved performance earned him a nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards.
3 Good Will Hunting (1997)
As Billy
Good Will Hunting 1
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Written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Good Will Hunting stars Damon as Will Hunting, a janitor with a genius-level intellect who, after being arrested for fighting, receives the chance to study mathematics under a renowned MIT professor provided that he attends therapy sessions with Dr. Sean Maguire. As Will’s life begins to change dramatically through the opportunities afforded him at MIT, his work with Dr. Maguire slowly begins to help him open up about his troubled past. Robin Williams stars as Sean Maguire alongside Damon, with Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, and Minnie Driver also part of the main cast.
Director Gus Van Sant Release Date January 9, 1998 Cast Robin Williams , Ben Affleck , Minnie Driver , Matt Damon , Stellan Skarsgård Runtime 126 minutes
Cole Hauser reunited with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck for one of their most famous collaborations and the one that made them stars in Hollywood. Damon stars in Good Will Hunting as Will, a supremely intelligent young man who lives an aimless life in South Boston until his talents are discovered. The movie follows his conflict between pursuing this new path or remaining with his friends who will never escape their neighborhood.
Hauser plays Billy, one of Will’s friends who is constantly drunk yet is always there for his buddies. Damon, Affleck, Hauser, and Casey Affleck make for a fun ensemble as the core friend group, and while Hauser’s role is not large in the overall movie, he has a memorable presence when he is on-screen. Good Will Hunting is a touching, smart, funny, and emotional look at this young man’s journey. It also features Robin Williams’ Oscar-winning turn as Will’s sympathetic therapist.
2 Dazed And Confused (1993)
As Benny
Dazed and Confused 1
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The coming-of-age comedy Dazed and Confused, directed by Richard Linklater, follows a group of high school students on the last day of school before summer vacation. Set in the 1970s, the film explores themes of rebellion, freedom, and nostalgia, and features an ensemble cast that includes Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, and Parker Posey.
Director Richard Linklater Release Date September 24, 1993 Cast Jason London , Wiley Wiggins , Matthew McConaughey , Rory Cochrane , Joey Lauren Adams , Milla Jovovich Runtime 102 minutes
Cole Hauser is just one of many soon-to-be-famous faces that pop up in the cast of Dazed and Confused. The Richard Linklater movie is set in 1976 and follows a group of students on the last day of school and into the night of partying to kick off the summer vacation. Hauser plays Benny, one of the football players whose idea of fun for the night includes driving around, drinking, and hazing the new freshmen students who will be coming to high school the following year.
Hauser is part of the excellent ensemble that also includes Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey. Part of the brilliance of the movie is how it represents so many different types of teens, from popular athletes to geeky outcasts to the aimless students thinking about their future. It is a funny and light movie that has become a favorite to rewatch over the years as it feels like hanging out with old friends.
1 Yellowstone (2018-Present)
As Rip Wheeler
Yellowstone 2
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Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner and centers on his character John Dutton. Dutton and his family live on a cattle ranch just a few hours away from Yellowstone National Park. The series chronicles the family’s struggle to defend their home from an Indian reservation and land developers. As if their life wasn’t complicated enough, the Duttons also have medical issues, political aspirations, and family secrets stacked against them.
Cast Kevin Costner , Finn Little , Brecken Merrill , Gil Birmingham , Denim Richards , Ian Bohen , Danny Huston , Kelly Reilly , Forrie J. Smith , Cole Hauser , Kelsey Asbille , Wes Bentley , Jefferson White , Luke Grimes , Ryan Bingham Release Date June 20, 2018 Seasons 5 Expand
While Cole Hauser found various levels of success throughout his career, Yellowstone has taken him to a new level and earned him a strong following among the show’s passionate fans. Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner as John Dutton, a ruthless and determined rancher in Montana who will do anything to ensure his family holds onto the land his family has owned for generations. Hauser stars as Rip Wheeler, John’s most trusted confidante who often does the violent dirty work, but also shows his softer side with his romance with Beth Dutton.
The series kicked off Taylor Sheridan’s expansive Yellowstone universe, which continues to grow. However, few characters have made an impact like Rip, with Hauser delivering some of the best lines and most iconic moments in the series. While the future of the show has been uncertain following Costner’s departure, it does seem as if Rip will be playing a bigger role in whatever story is told next.