'I know who I need to be': 'Single father' Kevin Costner admits he was bruised after divorce from Christine Baumgartner

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Single father’ Kevin Costner shared that he has been “bruised” in his life, but he knows who he needs to be in life. 

The ‘Yellowstone’ star recently appeared on the Monday, June 17 episode of ‘The View’ where he discussed his life after his divorce from ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, and his guiding philosophy of life. 

Costner, 69, meanwhile, admitted in the interview that he knew life is not always easy but he is lucky in the sense that he has good children. 

Kevin Costner opens up about his life as a single father

The Oscar-winning star, who finalized his divorce from Baumgartner in September 2023, is a doting father and he did not shy away from gushing about his children. 

He even admitted that he is a “single father” while discussing the three children - Cayden Wyatt, 17, Hayes Logan, 15, and Grace Avery, 14 - he shares with his former spouse.

As host Sara Haines asked Costner how he manages his life when "stuff hits the fan," the ‘The Bodyguard’ star replied, "You know, I don't want to circle this back to movies, but I will for a second... for as phony as they are, and as moving as they can be and funny as they can be, there's a lot of life lessons in movies," per OK! Magazine.

He went on to elaborate his film analogy as he explained, “Because we know who the bad guys are, we see it, we know who the buffoons are, and we know what it is to be noble, and sometimes even in defeat. And so when you go to the movies, you can see who you want to be."

However, Costner admitted that the tough times have, in retrospect, developed his mettle and made him ensure the happiness of his loved ones. 

Costner continued, "So, I have had life take some bites out of me, and I have to look at myself as a movie. I know I'm just a person, but who am I going to be? And one of the things I need to do is maybe not think about myself too much.”

“These tough times have been more a moment for me to look outward and make sure the people around me are all right," added the ‘Field of Dreams’ star. 

He explained that since he has been “bruised” by the challenges thrown by life, he has come to learn what he needs to do. 

"Because I know I'm bruised, I know where I'm at. I've been really lucky, really lucky in my life. That doesn't mean I haven't been bruised, I've taken some big bites out of life, and life has taken some really big bites out of me, and I think I know who I want to be in the movies, and I think I know who I need to be in my life,” explained Costner. 

The ‘Waterworld’ star also shared what it meant for him to spend time with his children. 

"Well, you would be shocked, but my life is very much like yours. I'm like living on a freeway, I think I'm an Uber driver ... I might as well be one," said Costner. 

He admitted, “I'm a single father ... that wasn't how I drew it, but that's where it is. I kind of love to see them succeed, I loved playing with them since they were little and I'm watching them actually talk to me about things, there's then that shift ... My life isn't any different. They have their ups and downs, but they're really good kids, and I feel lucky."

Apart from his three children with Baumgartner, Costner is a father to four other adult children. With his ex-wife Cindy Silva, Costner has three children - Annie, 40, Lily, 37, and Joe, 36. He also welcomed son Liam, 26, with ex Bridget Rooney.

Kevin Costner talks about career-life balance

Last month, Kevin Costner received a seven-minute long standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival after his 'Horizon: The American Saga' was screened at the event.

Following the screening, the ‘Dances With Wolves’ star opened up in an interview with GQ regarding the importance of balancing his family life with his eclectic career. 

While opening up about the balance between life and career, Costner said, "Very serious stuff. And those things are very important. I have to deal with them," People reported.

"And I have to deal with them on a daily basis, emotionally, historically almost. And then there’s the immediate needs of children,” added Costner.

The ‘Silverado’ star continued, “I’m not going to list the things — I’m going to stop right there with them. That is my job, looking at that and dealing with that.”