Kevin Costner Opens Up About How Religion Sparked His 'First Performance'

Kevin Costner's roots in the church sprouted into his impressive acting journey!

The actor is choosing to openly talk about his faith and alignment with the church and its far-reaching influence on his interest in plays at a very young age.

Kevin Costner's connection to acting has been undeniable over the years, including a confession from the actor that it helped him get over his challenging divorce.

Kevin Costner Details His History With The Church

The actor dissected the impact of faith in his life as he gears up for his upcoming TV special on ABC, "Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas." Costner stated that being able to tell the story of the birth of Christ seemed very up his alley, mainly because of his history with the church.

He declared, perhaps for the first time publicly, that he was raised in a church, and anyone close enough to know him must have been very aware of this fact.

Costner added that the same religion kicked off his "first performance" at the age of four, as part of his church's annual nativity play, where he read only one line, "Hark."

Describing his feelings during Christmas, Costner stated that it is a chance for families to gather together and celebrate the story of a newborn king.

"Whether you're a believer or just curious about the tradition, journey back with me, Kevin Costner, for the story of the first Christmas like you've never seen it before," the actor explained as reported by PEOPLE.

The 'Yellowstone' Actor Explained The Story Of Christmas

The actor also explained the tricky side of the story of Christmas and how it must have felt for Mary, who was unwed to be pregnant at that period. In her words: "There's a level of shame that goes with that. There's a boy just your same age."

He expressed that serving as the narrator on the project felt very appropriate, and the research process left him with a richer and more profound perspective on the story.

The celebrity also explained the deep emotions people often experience due to their attachment to such a touching story. He noted that the promise of someone coming to change the world must have been overwhelming for everyone involved.

"A lot of things get a lot of red and a lot of green, and there's a lot of lights … sometimes we forget about the story a little bit," the actor added as he spoke on the purpose of the story and how people must never forget it.

Kevin Costner Described His Profession As Therapy

The filmmaker's venture into acting was undoubtedly meant to be, as it has helped shape him emotionally. As stated by The Blast, Costner raved about the emotional strength that comes from sharing and experiencing stories.

He described storytelling as very healing and informative, which can remind people of who they would like to be. The actor continued that the real magic of storytelling lies in the small, heroic moments that can also be found in real life.

"And when we see it, we recognize it, and we think to ourselves, I need to be like that. We know what the opposite is. But sometimes we see things in movies that we wish we had said that we still can," Costner emphasized.

However, the joy of storytelling still will not help him fill the vacuum left behind by his once united family, especially during the holiday season.

He admitted to missing the nostalgia that came with celebrating some family traditions and stressed that he now has to do more work to preserve the magic of the moment for his kids.

The 70-Year-Old Remains A Romantic At Heart Despite Failed Marriage

Costner and his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, finalized their divorce last February, over a year after she filed to end the marriage in May 2023. The Blast shared that the filing led to a bitter legal battle over child support and a prenuptial agreement before they finally reached a settlement.

The entire process and drama that trailed the divorce reportedly left Costner burnt out and has shaped his dealings with any romantic interest in future relationships. Nevertheless, he still holds the notion that true love exists, and he is open to grabbing the opportunity.

He has also made active steps towards that by casually dating Kelly Noonan Gores, the ex-wife of billionaire Alec Gores. The actor is reportedly excited about spending time with Gores and has hopes for the relationship.

However, an insider claimed that Costner had stated that if things go awry between them, they have mutual friends and that they can still keep them together as close friends.

Kevin Costner's Estranged Wife Moves On With Lavish Santa Barbara Wedding

Baumgartner hit the ground running with her new partner two years after separating from Costner. She married financier Josh Connor in a romantic wedding in Santa Barbara, California.

The event was held in a private vineyard very close to Baumgartner's residence as the sun went down, with about 100 guests as witnesses for the big day. Sources from the venue described the wedding as a magical event with a gorgeous setting, which made it super intimate.

"This wasn't a big production. It was authentic, heartfelt, and so very them," the source noted, while another attendee commented on the bond between the couple whose laughter was infectious, from the start of the event to the end of it.

"Christine and Josh were glowing. And there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd during the ceremony," the attendee added. Baumgartner reportedly changed into two luxury outfits for her big day, including a Mira Zwilinger dress for the main event, and a Lihi Hode strapless satin dress for the reception.

Kevin Costner will no doubt ace this role!