Actor Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler on the TV series Yellowstone, is a philanthropist in addition to an actor.
The 48-year-old star is involved with Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a charity that provides scholarships to children whose parents have died in the military.
Speaking with CBS, Hauser said, ‘I’m a big fan of second chances. You know, for kids when they lose a family member, it’s a huge loss for them.’
The father-of-three, who shares Ryland, Colt, and Steely with wife Cynthia Daniel, noted, ‘Maybe it’s just my way of serving. You know, this country, the soldiers, their families.’
Hauser started working with the organization 20 years ago and in that time more than 1,100 scholarships have been distributed.
Giving back: Actor Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler on the TV series Yellowstone, is a philanthropist in addition to his acting career – he’s worked with Special Operations Warrior Foundation for 20 years
Conversation: The 48-year-old star spoke with CBS about his involvement with the charity, which provides scholarships to children whose parents have died in the military
In addition to making financial contributions, the 2 Fast 2 Furious actor also participated in a United Service Organizations tour in Afghanistan.
He made private visits to Walter Reed Medical Center as well, building personal relationships with gravely injured service members.
Hauser described forming a friendship with a triple amputee.
‘I walked in and I [said], “God, you look like a rat’s ass,” but it got him to smile, you know?
‘And then we would start talking and it was just, you know, it broke the ice,’ Hauser shared.
Cole is on the charity’s board of directors and has worked alongside Clay Hutmacher, the foundation president, to also establish scholarships for families who lose a non-military parent.
‘When they’re calculating what they’re going to do in the future, funding of their children’s education is not part of that equation. We got that,’ Hutmacher told the outlet.
Hauser feels called to perpetuate the legacy of his grandfather Milton Sperling, who was a World War II Marine and Hollywood producer and screenwriter.
‘I think it’s as good as it gets as a human, like just the human element of wanting to help. Just to see somebody go through that moment of like, grace,’ he explained.
His belief: Speaking with CBS, Hauser said, ‘I’m a big fan of second chances. You know, for kids when they lose a family member, it’s a huge loss for them’
Stat: More than 1,100 scholarships have been distributed to kids since Cole began working with the foundation
Family man: Cole and wife Cynthia Daniel share two sons, Ryland, 18, and Colt, 14, and a 10-year-old daughter, Steely Rose
Last month the actor and his wife Cynthia were seen with their three children in Italy.
They posed side by side as they bicycled their way through the Tuscany region.
He used social media to share shots of his sons and daughter as they enjoyed the rural countryside.
‘Cruisin through Tuscany,’ wrote Cole in a caption to his 1.6 million followers.
The happy couple has two sons, Ryland, 18, and Colt, 14, and a 10-year-old daughter, Steely Rose.
Earlier this month it was announced by Paramount Network that Yellowstone will officially end with the final episodes of the fifth season launching in November.
The show has been a monster hit for the network, and tells the story of the Dutton family, and their battles over their gigantic Montana ranch.
In character: Hauser plays Rip Wheeler on the Paramount+ show. Seen with Kelly Reilly who plays Beth Dutton
Fans of Yellowstone will likely be soothed by news that a sequel has already been given a full-series order.
Matthew McConaughey has been tipped as its possible star, although producers have yet to confirm any members of its new cast.
A Paramount spokesman told the publication that ‘McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we’d love to partner.’
The new show will start on Paramount Network and then stream exclusively on Paramount+.